No overkill in Dineros drug-bust
It was no 'overkill' nor excessive force was used in Sunday's drug-bust that led to a shoot-out between government agents and the group of a longtime police drug character.
Whatever happened, the counsel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) here defended, was justifiable and justified reaction from the authorities.
As such, the PDEA is bracing for an expected legal battle with charges filed against seven suspects. Six of the named respondents were identified while a "John Doe," PDEA's mystery man remains at large.
In an interview, noted Ilonggo lawyer Ronnie Delicana, PDEA counsel, disclosed that additional evidences were gathered that further strengthened the PDEA's case. Principal suspect was Noel "White" Dineros of La Paz, Iloilo City. The other suspects were equally charged with no bail recommended. Only one female suspect, the girlfriend of suspected drug-runner Mark "Macoy" Barbosa was allowed temporary liberty pending obstruction of justice charge.
According to both the PDEA and the city police, Dineros remains in the top five list of Iloilo's "Order of Battle."
To recall, the drug-bust resulted to a broad daylight shoot-out Sunday morning wounding the primary male suspect and a female companion. Two other women associates were then arrested alongside a trusted male "runner" while manhunt still continues on yet another male pal who managed to escape.
"When a suspected armed criminal and drug offender at that fires a shot at law enforcers and uses his car intending to ran them over – the act equally lethal -, the law enforcers has a right to repel that attempt," Delicana explained. "So no, it was not an overkill nor was there excessive force used."
The drug-bust was earlier hailed as one legitimate and successful operation by Superintendent Roybel Sanchez, PDEA Regional Director.
In an interview Supt. Sanchez then told TNT that the shoot-out happened after Dineros fired upon approaching government agents. This, as several attempts were also made by the suspects to flee the area seconds after the accomplice, one Mark "Macoy" Barbosa was paid the marked money amounting to P2,000.
With PDEA were 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.
Delicana who was present in the entire operation disclosed details of the drug bust. He 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' 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 still subject of extensive police operation.
Among the recoveries made by authorities was the P2,000 marked-money, .45 caliber pistol said to be owned by Dineros, various drug paraphernalia, five cellular phones, over P33,000 in cash 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 and the other woman hurt in the drug-bust remain hospitalized and secured by elements of the RMG.