Regional operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency have arrested four soldiers and a member of a gun-for-hire gang after a short gunfight in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, early morning of Saturday.
PDEA 11 officer-in-charge Naravy Duquiatan said the gunfight occurred after a buy-bust operation where the soldiers and their civilian cohort sold illegal drugs to undercover PDEA agents.
Duquiatan identified the suspects as Cpl. Cristiuto G. Macagubang Jr. who is assigned in 3rd Infantry Batallion detailed in Barangay Malagos in Baguio District, Cpl.John Louie T. Segovia, Sgt. Albin A. Binondo, both assigned at the 10th Infantry Division, SCAA John Rey Mission, a member of Task Force Davao and Regie Impas, an alleged member of gun for hire. Duquiatan said, at 2:45 a.m. November 11, PDEA operatives which was assisted Task Force Davao, Task Force Tagum, Tagum City Police Station and 46th IB, conducted a buy-bust operation at Purok Talisay, Seminary Drive in Barangay West Magugpo.
“Napalitan ni sila, nagkasinabot no sila (There were illegal drugs bought from them, and they cohorts each other),” Duquiatan said.
When the operatives were about to arrest the suspects soldiers and their civilian cohort drew their guns leading to a gunfight that broke the windshield of PDEA’s service vehicle. Law enforcers fought back which resulted to hit the right ear side of Impas and the suspects were immediately arrested.
Impas was immediately brought to Davao Regional Medical Center and after the treatment he and his cohorts were travelled going to PDEA 11 detention facility in Davao City.
Operatives recovered from the possession of the suspects, five grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride which has an estimated value of P75,000, three. 45 pistols, several ammunition and motorcycles. Duquiatan said cases of violation of sections 3 for selling and 11 for possession under Republic Act 9165 Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
