4 killed in Talisay drug-bust shootouts

CEBU CITY–Police said four drug suspects were killed during separate drug busts in Talisay City Tuesday. In the first incident, Rodel Nacario, 29, and Kevin Baguio were killed when they tried to shoot it out with police officers.

Supt. Marlu Conag, chief of the Talisay police, said Talisay’s Barangay Bulacao, where the incident happened, became a drug haven because of Nacario.

“He could be the biggest drug lord in the barangay. He boasted that he was untouchable because he had connections. His neutralization sends a message that we are serious in eradicating the drug problem in the barangay,” Cunag said.

He said Nacario was connected with suspected drug lord Steve Go, who was fatally shot by a fellow inmate at the Mandaue City Jail last June.

Baguio was Nacario’s hitman, Cunag said.

“He was tasked to kill policemen in Talisay,” he said.

There had been reports that big drug dealers in Cebu province are offering P20,000 for every killed policeman.

The drug bust took place at 3:55 a.m. Cunag said the two suspects fired shots after noticing that it was a sting.

Seized from Nacario were a .38 revolver, two packs and 18 sachets believed to contain shabu, police said.

Found from Baguio’s possession were a .38 caliber revolver and 30 plastic packs of suspected shabu.

“The operation was made possible through the information given by concerned citizens and officials of barangay Bulacao,” Cunag said.

Four hours later, a team from the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) led by Sr. Insp. Alejandro Batobalonos killed Rodrigo Alvarez and his brother, Victor Noel, during a similar operation in Sitio Malngilamo, Barangay Jaclupan, in Talisay.

Five men were also arrested: Wilfredo Narcico, 46, of Barangay Duljo-Fatima in Cebu City; Neilrinz Francisco, 26, of Barangay Sawang Calero in Cebu City; Kevin Daryl Vitor, 18, of Barangay Lawis in Inabanga, Bohol; Christopher Infiesto, 29, also of Barangay Lawis; Jackson Ogong, 35, of Barangay Jaclupan in Talisay; and Randel Añabiza, 27.

Recovered after the operation were packs of suspected shabu weighing 1.2 kilos and with an estimated market value of R8.2 million, two pistols and drug repacking equipment.