DAVAO CITY – The series of drug operations and implementation of search warrants in the Davao Region over the weekend led to the death of a suspected drug pusher and the arrest of five others.
Killed in the implementation of the search warrant on Saturday by the Sta. Ana police was 40-year-old Rusty Limalima Gomez of Barangay Monteverde, this city.
Based on the initial report released by the Police Regional Office (RPO)-11 on Sunday, Gomez pulled his gun and shot the police officer serving him a search warrant at his residence.
Gomez, however, missed the policeman and was shot by another police officer. He was immediately rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center where he was pronounced dead on arrival, PRO-11 said.
During the search of Gomez’s residence, police found seven sachets of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and other drug paraphernalia.
Members of the Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) also reported recovering a .38 caliber revolver and several ammunition. Police said Gomez was number 8 on the police drug watch-list.
During two separate buy-bust operations in Tagum City, meanwhile, the Davao del Norte police arrested five persons suspected to be involved in illegal drugs activity.
Police Supt Allan Manibog, chief of the Davao del Norte Provincial Police Office, identified the arrested persons as Jaime Benito Manlunas, 38, a resident of BPH Sadaan, Midsayap, North Cotabato; Roque Said Natua, 28, a resident of Ginoog, Pagalungan Maguindanao; Ryan Pilicano Sibaen, 32, a resident of Purok 6, Bangoy Street, Barangay San Francisco, Panabo City; Carlo Reclusado Gaña, 24, a resident of Purok 3-B, Reclusado Compound, Barangay Apokon, Tagum City; and Michael Pascual Quevido, 45, and a resident of Purok Paglaum, Visayan Village, Tagum City.
Police operatives also seized several sachets of suspected shabu, as well as drug paraphernalia.
Chief Supt Marcelo Morales, PRO-11 director, lauded the police units for their continued campaign against illegal drugs.
Morales said the increase in the number of operations and arrested persons on illegal drugs can be attributed to the massive police campaign and the cooperation of the community.
“I am commending all lower units for this accomplishments and I would like to attribute the success of our campaign against illegal drugs to the general public who continuously supported and believed in our cause, not because it is our mandate but it is our moral obligation,” Morales said. (Lilian C Mellejor/PNA)
