Police arrest "hired killer"

CEBU, Philippines - Police arrested a suspected big-time drug pusher and alleged hired killer in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City early yesterday morning.

Harold Tagod Dequitos, 25, was arrested by the City Intelligence Branch for yielding P100,000 worth of shabu and at least six unlicensed firearms, among others.

CIB personnel led by Chief Insp. Romeo Santander proceeded to Villagonzalo II and implemented a search warrant issued by Judge Silvestre Maamo, Jr. of the Regional Trial Court Branch 17.

The CIB were assisted by Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and the Waterfront Police Station.

During the operation at around 5:30 a.m., the operatives swooped down on the suspect’s house and arrested him.

Taken from his house were three caliber .45 pistols, a 380 caliber pistol, a caliber 32, and a pugakhang. Also seized were three cal. 45 magazines, a cal. 380 magazine, and a cal. 32 magazine with seven live bullets.

The police also recovered seven live bullets of cal. 45 pistol, seven cal. 380 bullets, and five M16 live bullets and assorted drug paraphernalia.

They also recovered from his room two big packs of suspected shabu and 14 other small packs of the same white substance.

Santander said the suspect is considered a druglord in the city and is responsible for the several shooting incidents in Tejero, being a hired killer.

Moreover, five more persons were also arrested during the raid after they were caught in the act of possessing the drug paraphernalia. They were identified as Joel Torcino, 25, Armando Braga, 20, Dave Ryan Cabansag, 25, Mark Anthony Kiamco, 28, and Joseph Pielago, 24.

The substance was submitted to the Regional Crime Laboratory-7 for chemical analysis while the firearms were submitted to ballistic tests.

Appropriates charges will be filed against the suspects tomorrow. (FREEMAN)