1 dead, 53 caught in Danao

An alleged hitman of drug lord Alvaro "Barok" Alvaro was killed while 53 others were arrested during Oplan Limpyo Danao yesterday morning.

Chief Insp. Gerard Pelare, chief of the Danao City Police, said that Antonio Lopez Jr., was one of the trusted aides of Alvaro in Looc.

"Our operative transacted with him and managed to buy a sachet of shabu. But he sensed that he was transacting with a law enforcer and fired at our operatives," Pelare said.

He said Lopez engaged authorities in a gunfight, prompting them to fire back.

The incident happened right before 11 a.m.

Lopez's father Tony, who lives in the US, told SunStar Cebu that his son was innocent.

"Somebody saw cops put a gun in his hand and drugs in him. He was shot seven times," he said.

Tony said he is willing to file charges against the police because he believes his son was a victim of overkill.

Pelare said they are open to any investigation, adding that the operation was legitimate.

"We will submit a report and we will answer that," he said.

Police recovered a .38 revolver with two live bullets and three empty shells; shabu worth P29,950; and P1,100 in cash believed to be drug proceeds.

The 53 drug personalities, who were arrested, were caught in Barangays Taboc, Looc, El Cantorio and Maslog.

Shabu worth P818,920 were seized during the operation.

Police also rescued five minors during Oplan Limpyo Danao.

In Barangay Danglag, a 13-yearold girl was rescued by the Women and Children's Protection Desk of the Consolacion Police Station after it was reported that she was with Richard "Ricky" Oncenes, a 42-year-old suspected drug pusher, without her parents' consent.

The Provincial Intelligence Branch arrested a high-value target in Barangay Tangke, Talisay last Friday night.

Shabu worth P177,000 was confiscated from Jean Mary Alferez.

Last Thursday, the Cebu City Intelligence Branch confiscated P259,600 worth of shabu from Jennifer Galan, 24, in Pasil. /