2 suspects killed in anti-crime ops in Davao

DAVAO CITY – Two suspects involved in robbery and illegal drugs were killed shootouts, a day after the Davao City Police Office (DPCO) launched a new anti-crime program over the weekend.

Police Senior Supt. Alexander Tagum, city police director, said the two were killed in separate police operations conducted on Monday and Tuesday by the Santa Ana and Calinan police teams.

Tagum described both operations as "opening salvo" to the newly-launched Oplan: R.A.T. Tugis, which stands for Robbery, Hold-up, Akyat Bahay and Theft.

Oplan: R.A.T Tugis, Tagum said, is a city-wide operation focused against identified criminals in the robbery, hold-up, "akyat bahay" and theft incidents.

“This intensified focused police operations are in line with the vision of DCPO to make the city the most dangerous place for criminals and terrorist but the most peaceful place for its residents,” Tagum said. "They are warned."

In the buy-bust operation on Tuesday morning along Roman Diaz St, in Calinan district, this city, the suspect identified only as alias “Trongco” was killed after transacting with an undercover police officer who bought an undetermined amount of dried marijuana worth PHP200.

Police said the suspect pulled out his gun after sensing he was dealing with a policeman, but the suspect’s firearm jammed and was shot instead by the undercover cop. The suspect was rushed to the Isaac T. Robillo Hospital but was declared dead after several attempts to revive him.

According to DCPO spokesperson, Senior Insp. Ma Teresita Gaspan, Trongko was a notorious criminal involved in a series of theft and robbery incidents in Calinan area.

On Monday, police said another suspect involved in illegal activities was killed in a shootout with a team of cops serving an arrest warrant against him.

The suspect, identified as Cristian Lois Aguelo Gabrielo, 24, pulled his gun instead of yielding to law enforcers at his residence in Purok 7, Sta. Catalina, Barangay Lapu-Lapu, police said.

Before Gabrielo could pull the trigger of his .22-caliber pistol, a police officer was forced to shoot the suspect, who  was later rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Gabriello’s body yielded one gram of suspected shabu valued at PHP5,000. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)