Man hurt in shootout with police

Policemen shot it out with the companion of an illegal drug suspect in Argao town, southern Cebu.

Thadeus “Thaddy” Saniel was wounded in the right leg during the gunfight and arrested.

Police said the subject of the buy-bust operation, Joemar Puerto, a 48-year-old former inmate, eluded arrest. Puerto was previously jailed for a drug case.

Argao police chief Insp. Alejandro Batobalonos and his men went to sitio Suba on Thursday night to conduct a buy-bust operation against Puerto.

Police said Puerto sold a sachet of suspected shabu worth P500 to PO2 Marvin Chin who posed as a buyer. Chin was about to handcuff the man when Puerto ran to a house and hid in the dirty kitchen.

Police cornered Puerto but he shouted “Tabangi ko, Thaddy! (Help me, Thaddy!)” when police were about to lead him to a car.

An armed Saniel, whose face was covered with a black handkerchief, arrived and shot at Chin with a .357 revolver but missed. Saniel hid behind a tricycle.

Saniel fired two more shots at the policemen but missed. Batobalonos, who hid behind a car along with his men, returned fire and hit Saniel.

Saniel repeatedly pulled the trigger but his gun was out of bullets. He tried to run but was stopped by the police.

Puerto hid in a house owned by Loreto Carago, a mechanic, who reportedly prevented police from entering, saying it was private property.

Batobalonos said they stopped the search since they had to bring the wounded Saniel to the hospital.

Police said the would file charges against Carago for interfering with a police operation./REPORTER RHEA RUTH V. ROSELL