Suspected drug pusher killed in shoot-out after buy-bust

CEBU CITY—A suspected big-time drug pusher was killed while his brother was wounded in an alleged shoot-out with the police following a buy-bust operation on Saturday morning in Dalaguete town, about 85.1 kilometers south of this city.

Their two companions were also arrested inside the house in Barangay Balud, Dalaguete, which the police claimed was used in the illegal drugs operations.

Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Cebu provincial police director who authorized the buy-bust operation, said they were looking into reports that the suspects were also gun-for-hires after four assorted firearms, a grenade and several bullets were seized during the operation.

The lone fatality was identified as Joseph Gañolon, 27, of Barangay Nalhub, Dalaguete who died upon reaching Julio Cardinal Rosales Memorial Hospital in Dalaguete.

His brother, Jojo, 24, suffered a bullet wound in the leg and was released to police custody after receiving medical treatment at the same hospital.

The police also arrested their companions—Brian Carali, 23, and Loriano Heredia, 23—who allegedly served as runners in the illegal drugs operation.

PO3 Christopher Requina, desk officer of the Dalaguete police station, said a joint police team composed of members from the Provincial Intelligence Branch and Dalaguete police station conducted the buy-bust operation at 6:45 a.m. against the Gañolon brothers inside their home in Barangay Balud.

But the brothers detected that it was a police operation. “The suspects pulled out their guns and the shoot-out occurred,” said Requina.

Requina said Jojo was hit in the right leg but still managed to run. He was later arrested following a chase. His brother, however, suffered fatal wounds.

Seized from the suspects were one .45 cal. pistol, one .357 long-nose revolver, one .357 snub-nose revolver, one .38 cal. revolver, one grenade, two magazines for Ingram, different types of ammunition,  3 big packs of shabu, undetermined amount of cash, several notebooks containing names of alleged customers, and several cellular phones.

Requina said one female police officer who joined in the operation sustained minor bruises during the chase.