CEBU CITY, Philippines—A teenage drug suspect gunned down an alleged cohort in Barangay (village) Pasil, Cebu City Thursday evening on suspicion that the latter informed the police about his involvement in illegal drugs.
Ronald Udto, 19, told police investigators after his arrest that he was mad at Rogelio Cabasa whom he suspected of squealing to the police his connections to illegal drug trade.
Cabasa, 30, surrendered to the police early this month during the implementation of the “Oplan Tokhang,” a campaign that involved policemen knocking on houses of drug suspects and asking them to surrender.
“The suspect admitted that he shot the victim because the latter gave information to the police about him,” said Senior Supt. Joel Doria, director of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).
Doria said he believed that drug suspects were going against each other amid the government’s relentless drive against illegal drugs.
“This is a classic example that drug users and pushers are killing each other. We can’t categorically say that there are vigilantes because we don’t have any evidence. But here’s a proof that drug suspects are at it,” he said.
Doria said Udto’s gun would be subjected to ballistic test to find out whether or not the suspect had a hand in previous killings.
“His (Udto) arrest is a big help to us. We will conduct an investigation to get into the bottom of this incident,” the CCPO director said.
Doria opposed allowing those into drugs kill each other, saying innocent individuals might get killed in the process.
“As much as possible, we will contain them otherwise the innocent might be killed,” he explained.
Cabasa, a resident of Sitio Lawis Riverside in Barangay Pasil, Cebu City, had a drinking session with two men past 11 p.m. Thursday when Udto suddenly approached and shot the victim four times.
Cabasa, a suspected drug pusher, suffered gunshot wounds in his abdomen and head.
He was rushed by residents of Barangay Pasil to the Cebu City Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
The Parian Police conducted a hot pursuit operation and arrested Udto.
Murder charges will be filed against the suspect at the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office. RAM/rga
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