• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An alleged local drug group leader and two other drug suspects were reported by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to have been killed in a gun battle with authorities on April 15 at Barangay Jonob-Jonob in Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
The joint operations of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, local police and intelligence operatives, assisted by the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion, also led to the recovery of an M16 assault rifle with a magazine containing 23 ammunition, two .45 caliber pistols, and an estimated P80,000 worth of illegal drugs.
Agent Jan Keith Capili, spokesperson of the PDEA – Negros Island Region, in radio interviews said the three drug suspects have pending arrest warrants for violation of RA 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, and illegal possession of firearms.
Capili said that armed skirmish ensued after the suspects opened fire at the approaching law enforcers, which led to the killing of three drug suspects, and the recovery of three high-powered firearms and illegal drugs.
On the same day, the police also seized P1.8 million worth of illegal drugs in two separate buy-bust operations in Brgys. 2 and Tangub in highly-urbanized Bacolod City, which led to the arrest of three drug suspects, according to the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region.
The accomplishments underscore the intensified and intelligence-driven efforts of law enforcement in suppressing the proliferation of illegal drugs and dismantling drug networks in Bacolod City, a statement from the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region said.
On the other hand, the implementation of a search warrant on April 16 at Sitio Lower Moog in Barangay Planas, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, led to the apprehension of a 34-year-old suspect and the recovery of a caliber .45 pistol, with two magazines containing 11 ammunition.
The arrested suspect, according to the PRO-NIR, was a subject of complaints for illegal discharge of firearms, causing fear among residents in the area.*
