HVI dies during buy-bust, P3.4M worth of ‘shabu’ seized in Lapu-Lapu

Suspected drug personality Mario Baylosis was shot dead by anti-narcotics agents after he engaged them in a shootout during a buy-bust operation in Sitio Afro, Brgy Ibo, Lapu-Lapu City last night, March 15, 2021. | Photo from LCPO-CIU

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A 43-year-old drug personality was killed after he engaged policemen in an armed confrontation during a buy-bust operation which also netted P3.4M worth of suspected ‘shabu’ on Monday night, March 15, in Sitio Afro, Barangay Ibo in Lapu-Lapu City.

Police identified the suspect as Mario Baylosis who yielded 500 grams of suspected ‘shabu’ with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) value of P3,400,000 and a caliber 38 revolver with live ammunition.

The buy-bust was conducted by the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-City Intelligence Unit (LCPO-CIU) at around 10 p.m.

Police Colonel Arnel Banzon, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office director, said via a conference call that Baylosis is considered one of the region’s most-wanted drug personalities. He added that Baylosis, a resident of Sitio Kalapukan, Barangay Carreta in Cebu City is a High-Value Individual (HVI).

Banzon further disclosed that Baylosis was previously arrested in Cebu City for the same offense but was released through plea bargaining. He said that Baylosis was put under surveillance for almost a month before the buy-bust operation was conducted.

“Dako-dako ni sya mu dispose ni sya ug up to 500 grams kada semana, mao tong ang kagahapon ilang transaction kay 50 grams,sa nahitabo ang na recover na illegal drugs sa iyaha mukabat ug 500 grams,” said Banzon.

(He can dispose of up to 500 grams a week. Their initial transaction with the poseur buyer was for 50 grams only but during the operation, they recovered illegal drugs weighing more or less 500 grams.)

However, when Baylosis noticed that he was transacting with a cop, he attempted to shoot him which resulted in an armed confrontation. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. Banzon said that aside from Cebu City, the suspect’s area of disposal also includes Lapu-Lapu City.

Authorities are currently looking into Baylosis’s source of illegal drugs and the scope of his operation. Banzon also said the dead suspect and another drug personality who was killed by the same unit in another buy-bust last Saturday, may have the same source of contraband.

High-value drug suspect, Ronel Pianiar, 32, was killed when he also shot it out with authorities in another buy-bust at Villalon Drive in Capitol Site, Cebu City on March 13. /rcg