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[av_heading heading=’Guard, councilman die in Antique drug operation ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
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ILOILO City – A provincial capitol guard and a barangay councilman, both drug suspects, were killed in an alleged shootout with policemen near the public market of Hamtic, Antique before dawn yesterday.
Enecito Escaner was a resident of Barangay Sinaja, Belison, Antique while Robert Magbanua was a kagawad of Barangay Caridad, Hamtic town.
Escaner was a “high-value” drug target, according to Senior Superintendent Norbe Escobar, Antique police director.
“He operated mainly in the capital town of San Jose,” said Escobar.
He also recalled that Escaner refused to undergo a drug test when it was conducted at the Antique Provincial Rehabilitation Center where the suspect previously worked.
Magbanua also previously worked as guard at the Antique Provincial Rehabilitation Center, added Escobar.
There was a long chase with the suspects prior to the shootout following a buy-bust operation around 12:20 a.m. in Barangay Maybato Sur, San Jose, said Escobar.
Escaner and Magbanua fled using a motorcycle after realizing they were being entrapped, he said.
“The shootout happened when they were cornered at the Hamtic public market,” said Escobar.
The suspects died of multiple gunshot wounds.
The antidrug operation was carried out by the San Jose police station and Antique Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Group.
Escobar said Escaner shot the pursuing policemen first.
“Our men returned fire,” said Escobar.
According to the Antique police director, Escaner was suspended for refusing to undergo a “surprise” drug test in 2015 ordered by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 6’s then director Paul Ledesma.
“Escaner was the duty guard during that time but when he learned of the surprise drug test, he left,” Escobar said.
Policemen recovered from the shootout site a .38 revolver.
Escaner and Magbanua became the 15th and 16th suspected drug personalities killed in Western Visayas since the start of the Philippine National Police’s Oplan Double Barrel against illegal drugs in July this year.
Other 14 other casualties were:
* Romy Hisog
* couple Melvin and Meriam Odicta
* Elpidio Geroy
* Welmer Gomez
* Marck Anthony Sorongon
* retired Senior Police Officer 1 Wilson De Leon
* Reynante Tanaleon
* Michael Huesca
* Paul Centeno
* Michael Angelo Abebinir
* Kenneth Sumudivilla
* Panfilo Artuz, and
* Freddie Sumbing.
A relative of Escaner doubted the police’s narration of what happened. She also denied Escaner was a drug pusher.
“Way gid na ya. Honest to goodness. Duro loan niya, ti kon naga-amo na sia, milyanaryo na tani pero indi gani mabatas ang ila balay, common sense lang abi. Way, planted lang na ya,” said the relative who asked not to be identified, citing security concerns.
From what the relative gathered, Escaner and Magbanua were from a cock derby and celebrated their win over several bottles of beer.
“Halin sa bulangan sila galing nag-inom kuno hambal sang iban, inom sila didto sa Hamtic,” she said.
She also wondered why the police had to shoot the two men to death.
“Nga-a gintiro nila? Tani gin buy-bust kag gin tokhang nila. Way gani nila gina-tokhang ang duro rekord da. Sia gani nga way gani sang ano sia pa ang ginpatay,” the relative added.
Escaner’s relative also wondered what happened to the cock derby winnings of the two men.
“Nga-a ang kwarta nila wala didto?” the relative asked./PN
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