Drug-bust leads to shoot-out
An otherwise 'by-the-book' drug bust resulted to a broad daylight shoot-out yesterday morning wounding the primary male suspect and a female companion. Two other women associates were arrested alongside a trusted male "runner" while manhunt continues on yet another male confederate who managed to escape.
Hailed as one legitimate and successful operation, Superintendent Roybel Sanchez, Regional Director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will lead today's filing of cases. A total of six respondents cum suspects were tagged in yesterday's drug sting led by Noel "White" Dineros, one of the region's top ten illegal drug personalities. (See related story)
In an interview, Supt. Sanchez told The News Today (TNT) that the shoot-out came after Dineros fired upon approaching government agents. This, as several attempts were made by the suspects to flee the area seconds after an accomplice, one Mark "Macoy" Barbosa was paid the marked money amounting to P2,000.
TNT gathered that at least eight members of the elite police forces of the Regional Mobile Group (RMG) and Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) provided back-up to the PDEA agents. Dineros who was on board a heavily-tinted Toyota Corolla went to the personally-assigned 'drop point' in Villa Matilde Subdivision in Jaro District. The drug spot and rendezvous was a stone's throw away from the alleged boarding house of his runners.
Noted Ilonggo lawyer Ronnie Delicana, PDEA counsel, was present in the entire operation as he disclosed details of the drug bust. Delicana said that seconds after the marked bills were handed by a PDEA asset, Barbosa approached Dineros who then released sachets of suspected Shabu otherwise known as "poor man's cocaine."
Government agents including the fully-armed and uniformed RMG and RSOG officers then swooped in. Yet Dineros in a quick response, sped up and tried to ran over the group. Barbosa himself was slightly hurt as his boss made the sudden swerve while an unidentified RSOG officer managed to jump out of harm's way. The escape attempt got two other vehicles heavily damaged as Dineros rammed his Toyota Corolla here.
Police then took turns firing shots at Dineros' car yet despite flattened tires, he screeched his way out of the dragnet and drove some 300 meters away. Witnesses saw a male associate leave Dineros's car coming from the front seat.
One witness told PDEA agents that the unidentified suspect even sought the locals' help, pleading that help be extended to his pals. He was believed to have been hurt with blood seen on his arms. The unknown Dineros pal is subject of extensive police operation.
Among the recoveries made by authorities was the P2,000 marked-money, another P33,000 cash, .45 caliber pistol said to be owned by Dineros, various drug paraphernalia, five cellular phones and undetermined volume of suspected Shabu.
"They (referring to drug groups) have employed new schemes," Supt. Sanchez said. "But we are determined to continue our operations and our demand-reduction programs."
Dineros remains in guarded condition at the West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSUMC) for gunshot wounds on the right side of his body. Similar watch is being done on his companion, Gigi Perez.
Three other associates remain in police custody of Police Precinct 3 in Jaro, Iloilo City.