Three killed in Escalante warrant service shootout

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Three suspected drug personalities were killed during a law enforcement operation in Barangay Jonob-Jonob, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday.

The operation, led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Negros Island Region in coordination with local and regional police units, was intended to serve an arrest warrant on Joseph Bindoy, a resident of the village.

Investigation Agent 1 Keith Capili, spokesperson for PDEA-NIR, said Bindoy allegedly opened fire on authorities, triggering a brief shootout that resulted in his death.

Capili said additional gunfire was heard in the area, and when operatives secured the scene, they found the bodies of Bindoy and two other individuals identified only by their aliases, Roy and Piolo.

Authorities recovered from Bindoy two sachets of suspected shabu, an M16A1 rifle, a magazine, 23 live rounds of ammunition, three spent 5.56 mm cartridges, and a black sling bag.

From Roy, authorities seized six sachets of suspected shabu, an improvised glass tooter, a .45-caliber pistol, two spent shells, a magazine, three live rounds, and a bag.

Meanwhile, authorities recovered from Piolo five sachets of suspected shabu, a plastic container, a .45-caliber pistol, a magazine, and one live round.

The total weight of the suspected illegal drugs reached 13 grams, with an estimated value of PHP 88,400.

Police had previously tagged Bindoy as the top city-level drug personality and the eighth-ranked drug personality at the provincial level.

However, Capili said PDEA-NIR described Bindoy as a newly identified figure believed to be leading a new drug group.

Bindoy also had standing arrest warrants for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Capili said Bindoy had escaped a buy-bust operation last year, which led to the issuance of a drug-related warrant for his arrest.

Authorities are still investigating the connection among the three individuals and the location where they were encountered.

Capili said the suspects were considered armed and dangerous, prompting operatives to return fire to ensure their safety during the operation.

Authorities are also verifying reports that an individual with a gunshot wound was taken to a hospital in Sagay City to determine whether the case is related to the Escalante operation.

The investigation is ongoing to establish the background of the three individuals and any links among them.