1 killed, 3 arrested in Medellin drug raid

Drug suspects Dominador Golisao Jr., Richard Pradilla and Kurt Catana are detained at the Consolacion detention cell. (CDN PHOTO/APPLE TA-AS)

A drug suspect was killed while his three companions were arrested in a drug raid in Barangay Lamintak, Medellin town in northern Cebu around 5 p.m. last Tuesday.

Hanzel Valiente of Sitio Proper, Barangay Lamintak was killed during the shootout with the raiding team from the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) led by SPO1 Reynaldo Solante.

The raid was conducted based on the warrant of arrest issued by Judge Antonio Marigomen of Regional Trial Court branch 61 of Bogo City against Ariel “Aying” Ortega, a suspected level 2 drug pusher in the area.

Valiente, who was inside Ortega’s house, allegedly pulled out a KG 9 submachine gun. Police shot him on the left leg to disable him.
Ortega, meanwhile, escaped.

Valiente was rushed to the Verallo District Hospital in Bogo City but was pronounced dead on arrival due to severe loss of blood.

His alleged cohorts Dominador Golisao Jr., 36; Richard Pradilla, 25; and Kurt Catana, 23, denied involvement in Ortega’s illegal drug trade.

Golisao said they were hired by Ortega as piggery workers.

The three are detained at the PIB detention cell in Consolacion town.

Last January, Ortega also eluded arrest during a buy-bust operation.

Ortega has three pending warrants of arrest for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Seized from Ortega’s house were 600 small packs containing suspected shabu worth P1.4 million, KG 9 submachine gun with 14 bullets, .357 magnum revolver with five bullets, 38 snub nose revolver with four bullets and money remittance receipts.

According to Solante, Ortega has been engaged in illegal drug trade for a long time, but always eluded arrest every time authorities conducted a raid because the workers of his piggery and mango farm also served as lookout. The workers would alert him when cops approach his house.

Solante said Ortega’s house is located in a secluded area and 700 meters away from the national highway.

One needs to enter an interior portion about 100 meters long before reaching Ortega’s house.

Ortega’s piggery, which supplies meat to Medellin public market, and mango tree plantation allegedly serve as front of his illegal drug activities, SPO1 Solante said.

Even the town mayor and barangay officials have complained of Ortega’s activities, Solante added.

Senior Supt. Clifford Gairanod, director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), said the operation is a testament that despite the conduct of elections, the fight against illegal drugs continues.

Gairanod said that they were checking the paper trail of the trade of Ortega to identify his supplier.