Two dead in Tuba shootout; PNP probes gun, drug trade

By Dionisio Dennis Jr.

TUBA, Benguet – Police are probing presence of a group  engaged in illegal selling of firearms in Baguio and Benguet after two men were killed Tuesday morning Tuesday here in Bontiwey, Poblacion.

Tuba municipal chief of police, Chief Insp. James Acod said police are investigating activities of the “Pagari group,” reportedly engaged in gun running or illegal trade of firearms in this city and Benguet province.

Acod said intelligence reports revealed existence of the Pagari group.

Pedro Badong Animalis, 23, resident of Lower Rock Quarry, Baguio City, and his unidentified companion were killed in a shootout with intelligence operatives of Baguio, Benguet, and Tuba police.

 Policemen were supposed to conduct a "test buy" from the two when the incident happened.

While the policemen were alighting from their vehicle, they were fired upon by the two suspects.

The unidentified suspect was killed while attempting to escape to a forested area of the mountain.

Confiscated from the suspects were a Cal. 45 pistol and a Cal. 38 revolver with several magazines loaded with ammunition.

"There is a possibility that the two who were killed have companions who are also selling firearms," Acod said.

Acod they are not discounting the possibility of the two suspects’ involvement in the illegal drugs trade.

 The police confiscated four plastic sachets of "shabu" from Animalis’ pocket.  

In Buguias town, also in Benguet,  Dentor Begay Cayat, 23, of Magmagaling, Buyacaoan was lucky not to have been shot when he was nabbed at Lutheran, Abatan in a buy-bust operation last week.

Recovered items were buy bust money amounting to P1,000, one black leather purse containing suspected shabu with an estimated value of P70,000.00, assorted drug paraphernalia, and a cellular phone.

In nearby Mankayan town, an alleged drug peddler identified as Edrian Wacangan Labisen, 24, farmer, was arrested in his residence at Ambabag, Guinaoang last week.

Confiscated from him were plastic sachet containing suspected shabu and P4,000 cash.