■ SUSPECTED DRUG LORD'S 2-DECADE RUN ENDS IN GUNFIRE IN BARANGAY TEJERO

The man who was No. 3 on the list of alleged drug lords, according to the Cebu City police, died in a police operation last Friday. Jesusimo “Titots” Dequitos, 56, tried to fire at agents who went to his base in Villagonzalo II, Barangay Tejero, said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7. Authorities also said they confiscated a kilo of shabu and a loaded .38 revolver. Dequitos had faced eight drug-related cases, but managed to post bail in some and was cleared of the others. A son is serving time in jail, while a grandson remains at large, said PDEA 7 Director Yogi Ruiz. “He was hard to catch because of his many spotters,” Ruiz said.

For 20 years, drug lord Jesusimo “Titots” Dequitos, 56, controlled the shabu business in Villagonzalo II, Barangay Tejero, Cebu City until his death last Friday.

He was killed when he allegedly tried to shoot it out with agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7.

“He was in and out of jail and made it a family business. His son is serving time in Cebu City Jail while his grandson is still at large,” Regional Director Yogi Ruiz said.

He was the No. 3 priority target of the Cebu City police has been a major drug player, sourcing his drugs from the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City passing through the Cebu City Jail.

One kilo of shabu was recovered from Dequitos amounting to P11.8 million in the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) estimate. The stash can fetch up to P5.5 million on the streets. A caliber .38 revolver with five bullets was also recovered from him. Dequitos had eight drug cases with the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), all either dismissed or he bailed out.

“We had numerous transactions with him since December. But he was hard to catch because of his many spotters,” Ruiz said.

He also had many drug pushers keeping his operations active. His area of distribution covered Barangays Tejero, Lorega, Carreta and Ponce Compound.

PDEA 7 is investigating why Dequitos was able to keep his operations going for a long time.

“There’s someone protecting him,” Ruiz said in Cebuano.

Police are running after Dequitos’ cohorts who might take over the business, including a grandson.

SUNSTAR PHOTO / ARNI ACLAO EVIDENCE. PDEA 7 director Yogi Filemon Ruiz presents to media evidence taken during an operation that led to the killing of suspected drug lord Jesusimo Dequitos of Villagonzalo II last week.