Two drug suspects killed in shootout

TWO suspects, including a former children in conflict with the law (CICL) allegedly responsible for the series of robbery incidents and are involved in illegal drug trade, were killed in a shootout during an anti-illegal drug operation yesterday at La Suerte Videoke Bar, A. Pichon Street, formerly Magallanes Street, Barangay 2-A, Davao City.

Based on the spot report, an armed confrontation ensued between the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of San Pedro Police Station and drug suspects on June 2. The encounter resulted to the deaths of the two suspects.

The suspects were identified as alias “Dodoy Taba” about 20 years old and Jessie Moran, 18, single, former CICL, and resident of Talisay, Times Beach, Barangay 76-A, Davao City.

The buy-bust operation was conducted about 1:40 a.m. wherein an undercover police who served as a poseur buyer arranged a transaction with the suspects. But the latter sensed that they are dealing with a police operative and without hesitation Taba, pulled out his .38 caliber revolver and shot the arresting officer. This prompted the back-up to fire back.

The other suspect, Moran, attemped to escape and ran towards Friendly Care Clinic. However, another operative who acted as perimeter security chased the suspect. The suspect found that he is being pursued so he aimed at the police officer using an improvised handgun known as “sumpak”. The cop was forced to shoot him in self-defense.

Meanwhile, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Police Senior Inspector Ma. Teresita Gaspan said that based on their investigation, it was learned that the suspects, aside from their link in narcotic trade, they were also behind the series of robbery hold-up, akyat-bahay and theft incidents in the area as confessed by the witnesses.

The Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) recovered from Taba's posession were four live ammunition and one fired cartridge; four small plastic cellophane containing suspected dried marijuana leaves with estimated value of P2,000; one coin purse containing P320; one blade and one pair of earrings; and one color blue disposable lighter while recovered from the other suspect were one improvised handgun with one fired cartridge; one blue shoulder bag with assorted women’s personal belongings.

The recovered pieces of evidence are in the custody of Socoo while the cadaver of the suspects were brought to Angel Funeral Homes for proper disposition.JCR