A joint law enforcement operation turned deadly on Wednesday afternoon, April 15, after an attempt to serve an arrest warrant escalated into a firefight in Barangay Jonobjonob, Escalante City, leading to the death of an alleged drug group leader and two of his companions.
The primary suspect was identified as Joseph Bendoy, who had two pending warrants of arrest for violations of Republic Act 9165 (the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and one for illegal possession of a firearm, PLt. Col. Florendo Fajardo, Escalante police chief, said.
Also killed during the encounter were alias “Piolo” of Purok Acacia, Barangay Malasibog, and alias “Roy” of Purok Mahogany, Barangay Jonobjonob, whose bodies were discovered during subsequent clearing operations.
Fajardo identified Bendoy as an alleged “newly identified drug group leader” and noted that the two other deceased individuals served as his “security runners.”
The police chief added that Bendoy had been a significant problem in Escalante for two years.
The operation was spearheaded by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office Negros Island Region (PDEA NIR) Negros Occidental Provincial Office, together with the Escalante police and the Philippine Army.
The enforcement of the warrants was conducted at approximately 2:05 p.m. on Wednesday.
The PDEA said operating units encountered armed resistance from the suspects during the service of the warrants, resulting in an armed confrontation.
Fajardo described the encounter site as an area infested by the New People’s Army, and where drug personalities are armed, dangerous, and organized.
He said that there are reports indicating these individuals had been providing monthly financial support to the rebels.
Authorities recovered 13 grams of shabu with a standard value of ₱88,400, along with assorted drug paraphernalia.
Also seized from the scene were an M16A1 rifle, two .45 caliber pistols, various magazines, and a collection of live ammunition and spent shells.
All evidence was documented and inventoried at the scene in the presence of witnesses before being turned over to forensic experts for laboratory examination.
Regarding alleged complaints from the victims’ families concerning the conduct of the operation, Fajardo stated that the police acted as support to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and affirmed the families’ right to lodge complaints in any proper forum.*
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