CEBU (Updated) -- Six people were killed and 74 others were arrested in the "one-time, big-time" operations conducted by Central Visayas police in three cities in Cebu on Wednesday, July 18.
Police Regional Office-Central Visayas Director Debold Sinas said they also seized P11.6-million worth of illegal drugs during the operations.
Among the drugs seized were 721 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P8.2 million, as well as P3.4-million worth or 8,520 fully grown marijuana plants that were uprooted in a mountain village in Balamban.
He said in Wednesday's operations, they served 22 search warrants, 30 warrants of arrest, and conducted 18 drug busts.
Among those arrested were drug personalities, said Sinas.
Three drug suspects were killed in Talisay City, two in Mandaue City, and one in Carmen.
One of those killed was Rodel Econas, 25, a motorcycle driver who was shot inside his house in Iba Lawis, Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City, allegedly because he was holding a pistol.
Econas was included in the list of targets of the Police Regional Office Central Visayas one-time, big-time (OTBT) operation.
But Angelie Samatra, the live-in partner of Econas, said there was no drug bust, as two men wearing bonnets and a jacket kicked the door's house and started shooting.
Chief Inspector Cesar Misola, the team leader, denied the allegation. He said they shot the suspect after seeing him holding a gun.
In Talisay City, two suspected drug personalities were also gunned down.
Zebar Cancianco was killed in Barangay Lagtang, while Rene Fernandez was slain in Barangay Tangke.
Fernandez allegedly ran after noticing the presence of authorities. He was carrying a gun when he attempted to escape.
In Mandaue City, a certain Niño Macachur was killed in Barangay Tabok, while a still unidentified person from Guizo, also in Mandaue City, is in critical condition.
In Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City, the incumbent councilman of Barangay Casili, Consolacion, was among the five drug personalities caught by the operatives of Guadalupe Police Station early morning, Wednesday.
The suspect, identified as Junie Gungob, is the son of former Consolacion mayor Avelino Gungob.
Operatives seized some P600,000 worth of illegal drugs during the raid.
Gungob said the illegal drugs were planted. The operatives, he said, mauled him and the other suspects.
Guadalupe Police Chief Eduard Sanchez denied the allegations. He said they found Gungob sniffing illegal drugs with the other suspects.
Sanchez said the raid was authorized by a search warrant issued by Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 11 Judge Ramon Daomilas Jr.
The target was Clint Fernandez, who was also arrested with his live-in partner Aileen Bornales.
Sanchez said they are checking a report that Bornales is a relative of slain drug lord Jeffrey "Jaguar" Diaz.
In Mananga II, Talisay City, arrested were Janjan Terana, 19, Arjay Cabaral, 26 and Marlito Enfante, 21.
Two drug suspects were arrested in Minglanilla town. These were Reynante Cano and Tiejun Cano, Minglanilla Police Chief Verniño Noserale said.
Seized from them were 0.92 gram of white crystals believed to be shabu worth P10,856 and two .38 revolvers loaded with three bullets each.
In Danao City, three suspected drug personalities were arrested.
At 2:05 a.m., Jory Batucan Segovia was arrested in Sitio Tabunok, Barangay Maslog.
By 3:30 a.m., Ricky Tarnate Gica Jr. and Joseph Perales were caught in Sitio Masdan, in the same barangay.
More than P8,000 worth of illegal drugs were seized from the suspects. (With reports from SuperBalita Cebu)