‘Bigtime drug pusher’ flees, cohort killed in shootout

CEBU, Philippines - An alleged bigtime drug personality escaped while one of his dealers was killed during a shootout with operatives of the Cebu Provincial Intelligence Branch in Barangay Lamintac Norte, Medellin town yesterday morning.

Ariel Ortega, also known as “Aying,” managed to elude arrest after sensing that a police poseur-buyer was buying from him a large pack of suspected shabu worth P12,000.

The police conducted the buy-bust operation at Ortega’s residence at around 11 a.m. yesterday.

Inspector Leo Logroño, PIB team leader, described Ortega as a level two drug pusher who can dispose of 200 grams of shabu a week. Most of his customers, Logroño said, are those from the neighboring towns in northern Cebu.

“Kwartahan kaayo ni siya,” said Logroño.

Logroño said they placed Ortega under surveillance for two weeks after they received reports that he was engaged in selling drugs in the area.

Logroño said that du-ring the operation, Ortega immediately escaped and ran towards an alleged drug den nearby. Logroño said the area formerly served as a den for masiao, which elements of PIB also raided before.  The operatives chased Ortega.

However, when the police arrived at the area, Ortega’s alleged cohorts engaged in a shootout with the authorities.

“Daghang bata-bata ni Ortega didto sa mangga-han. Nahulog nga niprotekta sila kang Ortega mao nalangay ta tungod sa shootout,” Logroño said.

The police officer further said Ortega’s cohorts served as dealers of illegal drugs.

“Didto sa manggahan ang transaction area. Ikatulo na to nga shootout didtong dapita kay manukol gyud ang iyang mga bata,” Logroño shared.

Logroño said a certain Pedring started to shoot at the policemen. No one was hurt.

The operatives fired back and hit Pedring, who was later pronounced dead on arrival at Bogo City District Hospital.

The police were also able to arrest Dante Garcia, one of the dealers.

They recovered from Pedring a cal. 45 caliber pistol loaded with ammunition, a cal. 38 revolver with ammunition from Garcia, and a homemade frontier pistol also loaded with ammunition of a 5.56 MM.

Also confiscated were shabu in five large packs, two medium-size packs, and nine small packs, having a total weight of 35 grams.

Logroño said  the drugs seized were  pegged at  P413, 000.

Follow up operation is underway to arrest Ortega. Garcia is currently detained at Consolacion Police Station. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/NSA (FREEMAN)