Drug suspect dies in Danao shootout

A drug buy-bust operation came to a bloody ending after a man allegedly engaged police in a shootout in barangay Tuburan Sur, Danao City northern Cebu yesterday morning.

Killed was Jose Renal Cuizon,  described as an alleged level two drug pusher capable of selling one kilo of shabu a week, said Senior Insp. Henrix Bangculitan of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (RAIDSOTG).

The operation was conducted by operatives of the RAIDSOTG Provincial Intelligence Branch.

Police said the operation took place in Green Lagoon, a resort in Compostela town.

Bangculitan said Cuizon and his three alleged cohorts, Jerry Peregrino, Roel Bautista, who both hail from Bato, Leyte, and Marie Jun Tampus, a resident of Compostela, checked in at the resort last Thursday.

Cuizon and his companions allegedly packed illegal drugs in their room, said Bangculitan.

“One of the room attendants said when they requested for food from the staff, they would not allow anyone to enter the room,” said Bangculitan.

Police said the buy-bust took place just outside the room where a poseur-buyer bought shabu worth P10,000 from the suspects.

When police moved in, Cuizon fled on a motorcycle.

Cuizon’s companions were arrested in the room where P3.5 million worth of suspected shabu weighing 300 grams were seized.

Police chased Cuizon, who hid in a safe house in Tuburan Sur.

Police said Cuizon resisted arrest, triggering a shootout.

After the gunfight, police also arrested Cuizon’s relative, Raymund, who was caught in the house with a .45 caliber pistol.

Cuizon, who suffered gunshot wounds in the abdomen and leg, was brought to the Danao District Hospital where he was declared dead.

A .45 caliber pistol was also recovered from Peregrino.

Police said the source of the seized shabu was from Lapu-Lapu City.