Man shot dead, couple arrested in buy-bust

CEBU, Philippines -  A man died while a couple was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Talayong in the town of Badian at 9 p.m. last Tuesday.

Michael Elegino, who reportedly tried to shoot at the police, ended up being killed while his sister Llelada Elegino, 24, and her live-in-partner Kurt Ruzzel Cosedo, 24, were arrested.

Personnel of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group recovered a pack of large pack of shabu from the couple.

PAIDSOTG team leader Senior Inspector Leo Logroño said they proceeded to the area after confirming the couple’s illegal activities through a week-long surveillance.

Llelada was placed under arrest after handing over a pack of suspected shabu to a poseur-buyer.

Sensing that his sister was being arrested, Michael took with an improvised shotgun and went to her sister’s house.

Logroño said they saw Michael pointing the gun at them, prompting them to shoot him.

Michael sustained several gunshot wounds to his stomach and died on the way to Badian District Hospital.

The police seized a large pack and five more medium packs of suspected shabu, a digital weighing scale and the P1,000 buy-bust money from the live-in partners.

They also recovered the improvised shotgun containing two live rounds of ammunition.

The jobless couple, in an interview, said they were tempted to sell drugs because they need to support their three daughters aged 4 years old, 2 years old and 9 months old.

A charge for selling and for possession of illegal drugs will be filed against the couple.

Meanwhile, seven persons were arrested while at least 37 packs of suspected shabu were seized by the police in five separate buy-bust operations on Tuesday.

In Barangay Magcalape, Asturias, 42-year-old Alan Jamili was arrested after selling a sachet of shabu to a poseur-buyer near the barangay gymnasium at 7 a.m.

At least, 13 packs of the same substance were recovered from the suspect. The police also recovered from him the P200 buy-bust money and a home-made cal. 357 revolver.

In another operation in Barangay 6, Tuburan, police also arrested Ester Jimenez, 48, who yielded six sachets of shabu and P550 cash believed to be proceeds from her drug activity.

Antonio Albert Jr., 22, was also arrested after he sold a small pack of shabu and further yielded seven other packs of the same substance, drug paraphernalia, and P300 buy-bust money in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Talaytay, Argao.

Another operation in Barangay Lamintak Norte, Medellin resulted to the arrest of Zosimo Olivar, 36, Ronald Pantaleon, 32, and Eron Dubria, 34, who all yielded five shabu packs, drug paraphernalia, and P400 buy-bust money.

In Barangay Sambag, Bogo City, police arrested 21-year-old Dave Sabang who was seized with three small packs of shabu, P300 cash proceeds, and P200 buy-bust money.

The suspects are now detained and will face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. — (FREEMAN)