IMUS CITY, Cavite – A drug suspect and a resort helper were killed over the weekend in shooting incidents in Cavite City and Indang, the Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) reported yesterday.
The fatalities were identified as Jonel Malonso Villanueva, 42, a resident of Barangay 48-A, Cavite City; and Anthony Matiog, 24, of Barangay Tambo Malake, Indang.
Villanueva reportedly shot it out with the Cavite City anti-drug police team following a buy-bust near his house at 1:25 a.m. yesterday.
The suspect was declared dead on arrival at the Bautista Hospital in Cavite City.
Recovered at the scene were Villanueva’s .38 caliber revolver with three shells and two live bullets in the chamber, one small sachet containing suspected shabu, one P200 bill and one crumpled P100 bill, the buy-bust money, and several other small sachets also containing suspected shabu.
Police Staff Sergeant Elfe Galit, officer-on-case, said that Villanueva was named by his cohorts arrested recently by police as the source of the illegal drugs being peddled in the neighborhood.
Villanueva’s drug pushing activities were also reported by barangay officials, according to the investigator.
Galit said that the arresting officers were forced to shoot Villanueva when he drew his gun and fired upon sensing that he had dealt with a poseur-buyer during the operation.
Another report said that Matiog was shot by a security guard identified as John Mondejar Travilla, 21, at Alta Rios Resort in Barangay Lumangpong Halahay in Indang at 4:40 p.m. Friday.
Matiog suffered a bullet wound in the body and died on the spot on the resort guardhouse floor.
Travilla fled after the shooting.
A resort employee-witness said that he saw Travilla shot Matiog while they were arguing just before their drinking session. (Anthony Giron)
