FOUR soldiers and a civilian were arrested during a buy-bust operation by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Davao at 2:45 a.m., on Sunday, November 12, at Purok Talisay, Seminary Drive, Tagum City.
According to Pdea-Davao, the move was a joint operation by the authorities lead by Iav Naravy Duquiatan of PDEA-Davao, Tagum City Police Office, Task Force Davao, TF-Tagum, 7th Infantry Battalion (IB), 71st Infantry Division, and 46th IB.
Pdea-Davao identified the arrested suspects as Cpl. Cristituto Gabino Macagubang Jr., alias Mac-Mac; Sgt. Alvin Aleria Binondo, alias Vin; Cpl. John Louie Segovia, alias Louie; SCCA Rey Jay Mission; and one civilian identified as Regie Impas, alias RR.
When the suspects realized that the buyers were agents who acted as poseur buyers, one of the suspects, identified as Impas, pulled his gun and shot the agents.
Gunfights then ensued that resulted to the wounding of Impas.
Impas escaped but was still arrested at a hospital in Tagum City after a hot pursuit operation.
One of the suspects identified as Mission also escaped when the gunfire erupted, but later surrendered to his assigned unit.
Four medium-sized packets of shabu weighing 5 grams and having a street value of P75,000 were recovered from the suspects together with the P1,000 marked money, three .45 caliber pistols with live ammunitions, and a Bajaj motorcycle which is believed to be their escape vehicle.
Violations of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Section 5, Section 11 and Section 15 and Republic Act 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition will be charged against the four suspects.
If proven guilty, Macagubang, Binondo, Segovia and Mission will face a maximum penalty aside from the absolute perpetual disqualification from public service in accordance to Article II, Section 28 or the Criminal Liability of Government Officials and Employees of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The suspects are now in jail.