By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

At least four suspected members of a notorious drug group were killed yesterday morning following a shootout at Hacienda Bariw, located in Manapla’s Barangay Sta. Teresa. The incident also resulted in one arrest.

Police identified one of the fatalities as Silay City resident Alson Aguirre, while the others have yet to be identified.

Authorities also refused to name the individual they arrested in the operation.

Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) Director, Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, said, prior to the operation, Aguirre had been under surveillance for two months by the Manapla Municipal Police Station.

Intelligence suggested Aguirre led the notorious Divinagracia sub-group, which is heavily involved in illegal drugs and other criminal activities in the province.

Baleros said Aguirre is considered as one of the biggest drug personalities in the town.

The police director also said they suspect Aguirre was engaging in gun-for-hire activities due to the high-powered firearms the group carried.

According to Baleros, they conducted a buy-bust operation against Aguirre and, when the suspect discovered he was transacting with an undercover cop, he immediately ran to his hideout.

A gun battle then ensued between police and Aguirre’s group, which lasted for approximately five minutes and resulted in the four fatalities.

No law enforcement officials reported any injuries.

Cops recovered two .45 caliber pistols, four loaded .45 caliber magazines, 27 .45 caliber bullets, a weighing scale, mobile phone, and 171 grams of suspected shabu.

Also recovered from the crime scene were an M16 assault rifle, a KG9 submachine gun, .38 caliber revolver, and M3 grease gun.

Police are now conducting a follow-up investigation to confirm if Aguirre was engaged in gun-for-hire activities./DGB, WDJ