Shootout in Tanjay City Drug suspect killed, 2 cops wounded

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — A suspected drug pusher was killed while two policemen were wounded during a shootout at Barangay Polo in Tanjay City of Negros Oriental on Tuesday.

An initial police report identified the suspected drug dealer as Marlon Silva of that barangay, and the two policemen as SPO1 Reydulfo Leonor and PO3 Roger Rubio.

Leonor was brought to the Silliman University Medical Center in Dumaguete City after a 9-millimeter round grazed his chest, while Rubio, remained at the crime scene as he sustained just a minor injury, police said.

The report said a team from the Provincial Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG), led by Insp. Ryan Jay Orapa, the SWAT, the Public Safety Company policemen, and the Tanjay City Police, headed by Insp. Badon, went to Silva's residence Tuesday dawn to serve a warrant for his arrest.

Silva, also known as "Tama" and "Tom Jones," resisted arrest and engaged the police in a shootout, or in a sporadic exchange of gun fires, after several hours of negotiations failed to convince him to surrender.

OIC provincial commander Sr. Supt Mariano Natuel Jr., had personally supervised the operation, and also tried to convince the accused to get out from his residence and surrender, but to no avail.

Upon reaching the suspect's residence, the team was able to arrest a certain Agustin Tag-at, believed to be his runner, who alerted him about the presence of the police, prompting Silva to take cover and locked the doors.

While in the process of negotiation, Silva was firing his guns, believed to be a .45-caliber pistol and an assault rifle that hit the two policemen.

After failed negotiations, the police decided to enter Silva's house, but the suspect lobbed a grenade, which however went off prematurely, resulting in Silva's death. A reserve hand grenade was found in the possession of Silva.

While the SOCO was conducting an inventory at the crime scene, Natuel surmised that Silva might have a companion inside the house, citing the presence of two motorcycles outside the house.

Natuel ordered the police to fire at the ceiling, until a certain Elbert Carita came out of the ceiling's corner and surrendered.

Recovered from the crime scene were a .22-caliber KG-9 rifle, a 9mm assault rifle, a .45-cal. pistol, an Ingram assault rifle, three magazines for KG-9 with live ammunition, a magazine for .45-cal. pistol, assorted live ammunition, and a box containing two pieces of shabu granules.

Natuel said Silva is considered a level two drug personality capable of disposing at least two kilos of shabu per week. With Silva's neutralization, Natuel was confident the supply of shabu in that area was reduced to the minimum and that the police will not stop from running after his cohorts, runners, and pushers.  (FREEMAN)