AT LEAST one suspected drug personality was killed and six others were arrested in separate anti-drug operations in Eastern Visayas towns Wednesday, November 11, 2020.
In Southern Leyte, police said a suspect was killed in a shootout during a buy-bust operation in Liloan town.
The drug suspect, identified as Arnel Lacson, reportedly fired on arresting police officers after sensing that he transacted with a poseur buyer.
The undercover operative was able to buy 10 sachets containing suspected shabu in consideration of P10,000 before the armed confrontation with the operating unit from the Southern Leyte Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (SLPPO-PDEU), with Liloan Municipal Police Station.
In Biliran, operatives from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Kawayan Municipal Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit arrested an alleged high-value target during a buy-bust operation in Culaba town.
Purchased from the suspect, identified as Rolando Andaya, was one sachet containing suspected shabu.
Confiscated from his possession and control were two sachets containing suspected shabu with a market value of P24,000, buy-bust money, motorcycle and other personal items.
In Leyte, personnel from Bato Municipal Police Station, in coordination with PDEA, also arrested a 36-year-old drug suspect identified as Rico Hinobiagon.
During the operation, an undercover operative was able to purchase from the suspect one sachet containing suspected shabu.
Recovered from the suspect’s possession and control were three sachets containing suspected shabu, buy-bust money, P440 cash, and a mobile phone.
A municipal job-order employee was also caught after he allegedly sold one piece sachet containing suspected shabu to an undercover agent in Catarman, Northern Samar.
Joint operatives from Catarman Municipal Police Station and PDEA identified the suspect as 37-year-old Lowell Diño.
Inventory of the recovered items was conducted in the presence of witnesses, police said in the report.
On Wednesday afternoon, Maasin City police and SLPPO-DEU arrested Ferdinand Caneo, 52.
The suspect allegedly sold three sachets containing suspected shabu in consideration of P3,000 to a poseur buyer.
Recovered from Caneo’s possession and control were buy-bust money and cellphone.
In Eastern Samar, joint operatives from Llorente Municipal Police Station, PDEA, and Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit nabbed a 35-year-old construction worker identified as Casimero Mabasa for alleged illegal drug activity.
The suspect allegedly sold two sachets containing suspected shabu during the buy-bust operation.
Police confiscated from his possession and control buy-bust money, one piece small sachet containing suspected shabu, P2,373 cash, and other personal belongings.
In Leyte, personnel from Hilongos Municipal Police Office and Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit arrested Jomar Cugal during the buy-bust operation around 4:20 p.m. Wednesday.
As of press time, inventory and documentation of confiscated evidence was on the process at the place of arrest.
The suspects will be facing charges for violation of Section 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (SunStar Philippines)