Two hurt in drug bust, five others arrested

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Two persons were injured after they resisted police operatives during a buy-bust at Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday.

Wounded were the subjects of the operation Jeffrey Palparan, 44; and Ricardo Motos, 39.

Police Major Rollie Pondevilla, city police chief, said that Palparan allegedly attacked a police officer during his arrest.

Palparan punched the policeman and grappled for the latter’s gun, but the officer accidentally fired his firearm at the suspect’s left knee.

Pondevilla said that Motos also allegedly drew a hand grenade but the back-up team positioned discreetly behind them and were able to subdue the suspect by hitting his lower back.

Both suspects were brought to a hospital.

Meanwhile, three other suspects identified as Ronnie Claro, 36; Rhendy Soriba, 32; and Darryn Hinojales, 31 were arrested after they were allegedly caught holding pot session during the operation.

Police recovered from them six grams of suspected shabu worth P90,000, some drug paraphernalia.

Pondevilla said that Palparan is a high value target, who was previously arrested for a drug offense, while the four others were considered newly-identified drug personalities.

He said that drug charges will be filed against the five suspects, but Palparan will have additional charges for direct assault, and Motos will also be facing additional charges for illegal possession of explosives.

Several minutes later, police also arrested Nilo Jamora, 51; and Ross Elano, 52, in a drug bust at Barangay Rizal that day.

Police seized from both suspects 15 grams of suspected shabu worth P225,000.