Gunrunners

2 killed in shootout

OPERATIVES of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Davao Region killed two suspected gunrunners in a shootout during a raid at S.I.R Matina in Davao City Friday.

The suspects were identified as Romeo Magallanes, 50, and Alexander Locsin, 56, who are both residents of the same area where the incident happened.

Magallanes and Locsin are believed to be dealers of illegal drugs and loose firearms.

Records obtained from the CIDG-Davao office showed that the raid was conducted around 5 a.m. Friday, following the search warrants issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC)-Branch 16 Judge Emmanuel Carpio against them.

CIDG-Davao coordinated with the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) in implementing the two search warrants against the suspects but the operation led into a shootout between the parties after the respondents allegedly resisted the arrest and fired at the operatives.

Authorities were able to recover five square transparent plastic sachets and another three elongated transparent sachets containing suspected shabu and two knives from the house of the suspects in- cluding a Colt MK IV caliber .45 pistol with six live ammunitions, magazine, and a North American black widow caliber .22 revolver with four live ammunitions and a fired cartridge.

Magallanes was found in possession of a caliber.38 revolver Smith and Wesson without serial number and with two live ammunitions, three empty fired cartridges, five elongated and three sachets of suspected shabu, and a black DVD case.

CIDG-Davao said that the entire operation was done in accordance with the law and was witnessed by representatives of the Department of Justice (DOJ), media and barangay officials of the 76-A Bucana.