CATBALOGAN CITY -- Another high value target was killed and eight other suspected drug dealers were busted as the Eastern Visayas police continue their relentless campaign against prohibited drugs in the region.
The Police Regional Office (PRO)-Eastern Visayas reported Wednesday, January 11, that the drug operations were conducted in Biliran, Southern Leyte and Tacloban City over the weekend.
Joint elements of Macrohon police, Southern Leyte police, Regional Philippine National Police Focus Team composed of Regional Intelligence Division, Regional Intelligence Unit, and Regional Public Safety Battalion 8 conducted drug busts in Macrohon that led to the killing of one Felimon "Imon" Ramos Labolabo, 55, a resident of Purok Santolan, Barangay Ichon, Macrohon, Southern Leyte, around 9:20 A.M of January 6.
The police said that Labolabo, who was listed as a high value target, fired at the operatives, resulting in his death.
The Southern Leyte Scene of the Crime Operatives, who arrived at the scene, also recovered one unit of .38 revolver without a serial number and loaded with one live ammunition, three pieces of fired cartridge case of .38 revolver, two fired cartridge cases of m16, four heat-sealed sachets containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), a lighter, and P945 cash.
Labolabo's body was brought to a funeral parlor, while the recovered items were brought to Macrohon police for documentation and proper disposition.
Aside from Labolabo, eight more drug personalities were rounded up in various parts of Leyte provinces.
Lionil "Enteng" Dela Pena, 32, a resident of Barangay Langgao, Cabucgayan, was nabbed in a drug bust around 11:40 a.m. of January 8 in Barangay Uson, Caibiran, Biliran.
Seized from him were three pieces of heat-sealed sachets of shabu, marked money, a cellular phone, and P130.
In Tacloban City, anti-drug elements also arrested a certain Welmina de Leon, 23, and Grace Tampil, 24, both residents of Paseo de Legaspi, for allegedly selling shabu.
Confiscated from them were eight pieces of heat-sealed sachets of shabu, marked money, drug paraphernalia, and a mobile phone.
In Malitbog and Sogod towns in Southern Leyte, arrested was a 27-year-old computer technician identified as Ruel Parantar for trying to sell shabu to a poseur buyer.
On January 6, Rafael Capatoy, 43; Jason Lincopines, 31; and Val Rosal, 39, all of Barangay Zone 4, Sogod town, were nabbed for illegal drug pushing.
About 14 pieces of plastic sachets containing shabu, P1,550 cash, a wallet, cellular phone and marked money were seized from them.
Later before midnight in Maasin City, a certain Janray Acasio, 18, was also arrested for the same offense. Seized from him were five sachets of suspected marijuana leaves and marked money.
All the arrested persons and the confiscated items were brought to respective police stations for documentation and proper disposition, the police said.
PRO-Eastern Visayas Director Elmer Beltejar commended the police personnel for the successful operation, and assured that they will continue their campaign to get rid of illegal drugs in the region.
Beltejar also reiterated his assurance to the public that the police are working closely with the local government and concerned citizens in their campaign against illegal drugs to ensure a peaceful environment in every community. (Sunnex)