By Lesley Caminade Vestil
TALISAY CITY, CEBU-- A carriage(kalesa) driver suspected of selling illegal drugs was killed during a shoot-out with policemen who attempted to arrest him in his home in Barangay Cansojong, Talisay City Wednesday afternoon.
Operatives of the Cebu Provincial Police Office identified the fatality as Socrates Dakay, 27, a resident of Sitio Alaska, Barangay Mambaling in Cebu City.
Insp. Alejandro Batobalonos, Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) deputy chief, said that while Dakay was killed, they were able to arrest his companion, Marlon Navarro, who was in the process of packing the suspected shabu in smaller packs.
Recovered from the suspects were 115 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated market value of P1.375 million.
During the PDEU's operation yesterday, operatives led by Batobalonos attempted to buy some drugs from Dakay inside his house.
A policeman posing as a buyer transacted with Dakay, asking for P8,000 worth of illegal drugs in return. The transactions were reportedly held at Dakay's garage.
But when police attempted to arrest Dakay, the latter suddenly ran inside his house, took out his Colt .45 revolver and started shooting at the operatives.
Batobalonos said they attempted to fight back and was able to hit Dakay.
Dakay was immediately brought to a nearby hospital but died at around 3:30 p.m.
Aside from the illegal drugs and Dakay's pistol, police also recovered P10,000 worth of illegal drug proceeds.
Batobalonos said he personally knew Dakay as they were neighbors in Barangay Mambaling before.
But Dakay transferred to Talisay City after police raided his house twice.
Despite working only as a lowly carriage driver, Dakay was able to acquire properties, including a house and apartments in Cebu City.
Even when he transferred to Talisay City, Dakay still used his carriage driving as a cover for his illegal activities.
Dakay started to earn his keep in the illegal drug business after befriending the late Cebu-based drug lord Jeffrey "Jaguar" Diaz.