7 killed in police sweeps in Cebu

CEBU CITY – Seven persons were killed in a series of police operations here Friday that came a few days after President Duterte declared that the campaign against illegal drugs will be stepped up.

The operations were part of synchronized enhanced managing police operations (SEMPO) otherwise known as “one-time, big-time.”

In Barangay Pilipog, Cordova town, two men were killed after they allegedly fought back with police during a drug bust.

The fatalities were identified as Librador Abayan and a certain Moises.

Arrested were the two men’s alleged associates, Andrew Flores, 35, Matthew Monsalud, 34 and Johnny Monsalud, 28.

Seized from the suspects were at least 77 sachets of suspected shabu worth P48,824.

A .38 revolver was taken from Moises, and a .22 magnum revolver from Abayan.

In Barangay Lusaran, three persons were killed when a team from the Cebu City Mobile Force Company tried to serve search warrants.

The identities of the fatalities were not immediately known ,but police said two of them were barangay tanods. One of the fatalities was the wife of one of the tanods.

The barangay chief of Lusaran, Augustin Partulan, was arrested after police caught him possessing unlicensed firearms.

Another barangay captain in Cebu City was also arrested after unlicensed firearms were found in his house.

Arrested was Calamba Barangay Victor Jojo Quijano. Two other residents in the barangay, Ramsy Abello Mercado and barangay tanod Anthony Polpol Gingoyon, were also arrested for keeping unlicensed firearms in their houses.

In Barangay Zapatera, a man who was allegedly involved in selling party drugs was shot dead by police.

Ken Kenneth Rosales allegedly fired shots at the operatives of the Regional Special Operations Group when he noticed that he was transacting with policeman, who acted as poseur-buyer.

Police said found in the man’s car were packs of ecstasy and cocaine.

Police also arrested Rosales’ alleged associates, Lorenz Jasper Yap and Justin Anton Jimenez.

In Daanbantayan town, northern Cebu, a buy-bust operation also led to the death of drug suspect, identified as Cristori Montiadora.