7 drug suspects fall; illegal drugs, guns seized in Tagum City

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Philippines – Hundreds of policemen, anti-narcotics agents and other law enforcers carried out a massive anti-illegal drugs operation in a coastal village here early on Tuesday that left at least one person dead, authorities said.

Over 200 lawmen arrested seven drug trade suspects and seized an undetermined amount of drugs and drug accessories and high-powered firearms in 12 areas in Barangay (village) Madaum at 5 a.m., Mayor Allan Rellon said.

Sporadic exchange of gunfire erupted after several armed men fired at the arriving lawmen, authorities said.

“So far, one (suspect) is dead and another was wounded as of 8 a.m.. More than 200 personnel from the Philippine National Police in (Southern Mindanao) region, Davao del Norte province and in the city took part in the operations,” Rellon said.

At least seven suspected drug traders have been arrested, Tirador said, although several others were thought to have escaped in what was considered as the biggest anti-illegal drugs operation in the region in recent years.

Insp. Anjanette Tirador, Tagum City police spokesperson, said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 11 led the operation by virtue of search warrants against suspected drug traders in the area. Heavily armed troops from the police Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) 11, PNP Maritime Group, Special Action Force (SAF) and the Davao del Norte provincial public safety company (DNPPSC) as well as elements from Tagum police served as support units.

Chief Insp. Francis Sonza, CIDG 11 operations chief and provincial CIDG head, said among the weapons seized in their operation alone were rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) rounds, rifles, and handguns.

Rellon said the operation stemmed from complaints authorities received from residents about the presence of a shabu “tiangge” (market), where illegal drugs were allegedly sold openly.

In at least one of the areas, police also stumbled upon a shack covered with tents used as a drug session den. Inside the hut, drug paraphernalia were scattered, indicating its occupants had hastily fled the area upon sensing the lawmen.

Officials credited the “success” of the operation to reports made by residents to authorities through text messages.

“This sends a good effect to our efforts in curbing the proliferation of illegal drugs in Tagum,” said Rellon. SFM