Drug bust turns violent in Lacion

CEBU, Philippines -  Three were injured, including a police officer, in a buy-bust operation against illegal drugs in Sitio Lawis, Barangay Jugan, Consolacion town Tuesday evening.

Suspects were armed with handguns and a bladed weapon during the operation causing the Consolacion police led by Sr. Insp. Franco Rudolf Oriol to shoot at them.

 Injured were siblings Bilmar Capisnon, 18, and his sister Jinky, 22, who were rushed to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for immediate treatment. Leover, 19, and subject of the operation, was arrested by the police.

PO1 Julios Patac, who acted as poseur buyer, suffered bruises in the body for defending himself after he was allegedly hacked repeatedly by Jinky using a 23-inch bolo.

Recovered from the suspects was the bolo, a .357 revolver with four bullets and an empty shell, .45 pistol with magazine and five bullets, five small packets of shabu, P1,000 believed as shabu sale proceeds and P300 marked money.

Illegal drugs were taken to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory-7 for chemical analysis.

Police accounts revealed suspects were new to the illegal operation and were under surveillance for a week before police decided to carry out the operation Tuesday night.

Patac successfully did the buy-bust but when Leover sensed the presence of the police, this prompted Leover to pull out his .45 pistol and shot at Patac, but missed.

"Nakabantay siya nga pulis kay nakamay-ong man siya (Leover)," Oriol said in a phone interview, adding that PO1 Herny Barba hurriedly neutralized Leover.

It was at this juncture that Bilmar opened fire at the policemen causing PO2 Glenn Rosal to shoot at Bilmar hitting the suspect in the abdomen with the bullet exited in his back.

Upon seeing this, Jinky took his bolo and started attacking Patac causing the latter to fall on the ground and sustain bruises.

"Medyo naay pagkadahili ang lugar unya na-outbalance siya; pwerte pud niyang sagang," Oriol said.

Patac was left with no other choice but to shoot at Jinky in the head using his 9mm service pistol.

Oriol further said that suspects have pending cases for theft and robbery in court.

"Mga akyat-bahay ning mga laki unya kini si Jinky karon lang ni siya na-involve kay kanang duha sud-gawas nana sa prisuhan," Oriol explained.

Charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11 of R.A. 9165 or Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and R.A. 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunitions Regulation Act will be filed against Leover and Bilmar.

A separate case for attempted homicide will also be filed against Jinky. (FREEMAN)