Police shoot, kill another ‘Oplan Tokhang’ yielder

POLICE killed a man suspected by the police as a drug courier in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental on Saturday, a week after he went to see authorities and promised them that he would mend his ways.

Authorities identified the suspect as 25-year old Melvin Tadeo of Zone 18, Barangay Natumolan in Tagoloan town.

Police said Tadeo was killed in a shootout. He succumbed to two gunshot wounds on the chest.

The suspect, who allegedly had a caliber .22 revolver, six sachets of suspected shabu, and drug paraphernalia, was the third suspected illegal drug courier from the town who was killed days after they turned themselves in and promised to reform because they feared the police’s “Oplan Tokhang” campaign.

PO2 Charlie Calvitera of the Tagoloan police claimed that Tadeo took out a revolver when he realized that the one buying shabu from him was a police officer.

Calvitera said Tadeo fired shots at the police officer but missed, prompting others in the police team to shoot back.

“Igo siya diretso sa dughan,” he said.

Insp. Ed Hallasgo, deputy chief of the Tagoloan police, said the distribution of illegal drugs in Tagoloan remained rampant despite “Oplan Tokhang.”

“Abi siguro nila nga mi-surrender na sila okay na dayun. Sayop sila diha pero daghan uban pud nga wala na gyud namaligya og nag-gamit sa shabu,” Hallasgo said.

Meanwhile in the neighboring town of Villanueva, 26-year old Ramil Sagay of Barangay Kalingagan was shot by still unidentified assailants.

He succumbed to several gunshot wounds on the head.

According to the victim’s father, Jose Sagay Jr., the victim merely went out to be with friends in a drinking spree.

“Nakurat na lang ko kay dunay boto-boto sa gawas og pagtan-aw nako si Ramil diay ang gipusil. Dili man unta ni siya ga-droga,” he said. (lito rulona)