DAVAO CITY — Operatives of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 11 (PDEA 11) arrested four soldiers and a suspected gun-for-hire after a brief firefight in Tagum City, Davao del Norte on Saturday.
PDEA 11 officer-in-charge Naravy Duquiatan identified the suspects as Cpl. Cristiuto G. Macagubang Jr. who is assigned to the 3rd Infantry Batallion and detailed at Barangay Malagos in Baguio District; Cpl. John Louie Segovia and Sgt. Albin Binondo, both assigned to the 10th Infantry Division; John Rey Mission, a member of Task Force Davao; and Regie Impas, an alleged gun-for-hire.
Duquiatan said PDEA operatives with assistance from Task Force Davao, Task Force Tagum, Tagum City Police Station and 46th IB, conducted a buy-bust operation at Purok Talisay, Seminary Drive in Barangay West Magugpo.
“Napalitan ni sila, nagkasinabot no sila (There were illegal drugs bought from them, and they colluded with each other),” Duquiatan said.
A brief firefight ensued as the arrested suspects tried to resist arrest prompting law enforcers to fight back and wounded in the process.
Impas was immediately brought to Davao Regional Medical Center. After treatment, he and his cohorts were brought to PDEA 11 detention facility in Davao City.
Recovered from the possession of the suspects were five grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride with an estimated value of PHP75,000, three .45 pistols, several ammunition and motorcycles.
Duquiatan said cases of violation of sections 3 for selling and 11 for possession under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the five suspects. (Armando B. Fenequito Jr./PNA)
