BUY-BUST. Police operatives conduct an investigation into the killing of three notorious drug peddlers during a buy-bust in Oas, Albay on Tuesday (July 20, 2021). Seized in the operation was over P1.7 million worth of suspected shabu. (Photo courtesy of PRO5)
LEGAZPI CITY – Three drug peddlers, two of whom were listed by the police as high-value targets (HVT), were killed while more than PHP1.7 million worth of suspected shabu was seized in a buy-bust operation in Oas town, Albay province on Tuesday.
In an interview on Wednesday, Lt. Kharren Formales, Albay Provincial Police Office (APPO) spokesperson, identified the slain suspects as Ramon Mutuc alias Omar, 44, jobless, and member of “Bahala na Gang”; Jose Maria Arvin Bautista, 28, a driver; and Gregorio Mañebo Garcia Jr., 42, a mechanic, all residents of Valenzuela City in Metro Manila.
"Joint elements of Oas Municipal Police Station, Albay Provincial Intelligence Unit, 1st and 2nd Albay Provincial Mobile Force Company, Regional Intelligence Division-Regional Special Operations Unit 5, Office of Deputy Regional Director for Operation-Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 5, 502nd Regional Mobile Force Battalion 5, and Polangui MPS (Municipal Police Station), in coordination with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 5, conducted a buy-bust operation which resulted in armed confrontation," she said.
Meanwhile, Col. Arnold Santiago, APPO director, said one of the suspects was caught selling 10 grams of shabu worth PHP40,000 to an undercover agent.
"After the transaction of illegal drugs was done, the suspect noticed that he was dealing with police operatives, the suspect immediately drew his firearm and fired against the police operative (poseur-buyer), which prompted them to defend themselves by shooting the suspect," he said in a police report.
The two cohorts of the suspect also drew their firearms and fired towards the police operatives, which resulted in a shootout, he added.
The report said the suspects sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of their bodies.
Formales said the "suspects were immediately rushed to the Josefina Belmonte Duran Albay Provincial Hospital for medical treatment but declared dead on arrival by the attending physician".
Recovered from the scene of the crime aside from the 10 grams of shabu that was the subject of the transaction, were 350 grams of shabu worth PHP1.7 million, two .38 caliber revolvers, a .45 caliber handgun, and PHP40,000 marked money.
The inventory and marking of seized pieces of evidence were done at the scene of the crime in the presence of witnesses, and the drug items were brought to the Regional Crime Laboratory Office 5 at Camp BGen. Simeon A. Ola in this city for laboratory examination.
Santiago said the suspects, who were tagged as drug suppliers to the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes, were on board a Toyota car reportedly on the way to deliver illegal drugs to the cities of Legazpi and Tabaco and Catanduanes province.
Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) director, commended the lawmen for the successful operation, citing PNP-Bicol's strong desire to end the drug menace.
"Patunay dito ang paglalaan ng sapat na pondo upang tiyaking equipped ang ating mga kapulisan na gampanan ang mandato nito di lamang sa kampanya kontra droga kundi sa iba pang kampanya kontra kriminalidad. Pinaliit na ng ating mga inisyatibo at programa ang mundong ginagawalan ng mga kriminal at masasamang loob kaya naman kampante tayong maaabot ang ating mithiin para sa isang ligtas at tahimik na komunidad para sa lahat. (Proof of this is the allocation of sufficient funds to ensure our police force is equipped to carry out their mandate not just for the campaign against illegal drugs but also the other drives against criminality. With our initiative and programs, the world of criminals is now getting smaller, so we are confident that we will achieve our goal for a better, peaceful, and safe community for everyone)," he added. (PNA)
