‘Anting-anting’ fails to save drug suspect in Bohol buy-bust

An example of an amulet or anting-anting (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ VICTOR URSABIA)

DANAO, Bohol — A suspected drug pusher who apparently brought his “anting-anting (amulet)” to work was killed during a buy-bust operation with police on Monday.

PO3 Felix Saldivar, investigator of Danao Police Station, said police fired at Samuel Aparece Melencion, 29, a native of Paghagban, Buenavista town, after he tried to shoot an undercover policeman in Barangay San Carlos this town past 3 p.m. on Monday when he noticed that it was a sting operation.

Melencion suffered gunshot wounds in the chest and head.

The police arrested his live-in partner, Demetria Gayud Sanchez, 29, a resident of Barangay San Carlos, Danao town who was also a suspected drug pusher.

She was detained at the Danao police lock-up jail after two small sachets of a substance believed to be shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) were recovered from her.

Saldivar said Melencion was the number two drug personality in the town and was a hired gunman.

“He was involved in the illegal drug trade for some time and he was hired during election time,” said Saldivar.

Melencion was brought to San Miguel Municipal Infirmary Hospital, at least 30 kilometers from Danao, but he was declared dead on arrival.

Recovered from Melencion were one medium-sized and six small sachets of suspected shabu.

Shabu. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

During the post mortem examination, six small sachets of suspected shabu were found tied in the string with his “anting-anting” that was tied around his waist.

An “anting-anting” (amulet) is any object that is believed to have the power to protect its wearer from physical danger or harm.

Melencion’s “anting-anting” was a specially made amulet or talisman believed to protect the wearer from bullets and knife wounds.  SFM