ILOILO – A suspected “high-value” drug personality was killed in a shootout with policemen during a drug operation in Sitio Cantil, Barangay Damires, Janiuay yesterday around 4:30 p.m.
The 33-year-old Daniel Dalisay of Barangay Balabag, Pavia was declared “dead on arrival” at the Federico Roman Tirador Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Janiuay. He sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
His companion Eugene Garzon, 33, was arrested and taken to the Janiuay police station lockup facility.
Police said another suspect, a certain “Tarzan”, was able to escape.
According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Anthony Darroca, chief of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), an undercover officer bought suspected shabu worth P15,100 from the suspects.
Upon sensing police presence, the suspects were quick to escape, Darroca added.
Dalisay allegedly fired a shot at the operating personnel who fired back. He was hit on the stomach.
“Tarzan” reportedly fled to a river nearby.
“We know that they will not surrender kasi ex-convict. Buti na lang walang may natamaan sa aking mga tao,” said Darroca.
He said they conducted surveillance for two weeks. In fact, Darroca pointed out, they were able to “test buy” sachets of shabu from “Tarzan” and Dalisay.
Recovered from the area were 11 sachets of suspected shabu worth P544,000; a .9mm-caliber pistol with five ammunitions (allegedly Dalisay’s); an empty shell of a .9mm-caliber pistol; and the buy-bust money.
MEMBER OF DRUG GROUP?
Further police investigation revealed that the three suspects were allegedly members of a drug group led by drug convict Jovern Abantao of Molo, Iloilo City.
Jovern is currently detained at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City together with brother Bernie, Darroca said.
On Feb. 3, 2020, Jovern was arrested in a drug operation conducted by policemen of the city and the province of Iloilo. He reportedly yielded P7.4-million worth of suspected shabu.
The drug group was reportedly operating in the city and province of Iloilo before Jovern was arrested.
Darroca confirmed that Dalisay got their supply from the Abantao brothers.
“Malaking volume ang binibenta nila. Million worth of shabu ang kanilang ini-i-ship kasi may contact sila doon sa loob,” Darroca said in a press conference.
Dalisay was released from the New Bilibid Prison just this March 3. He allegedly got acquainted with the Abantao brothers there./PN
