Pubdate: Wed, 25 Aug 2004 Source: Manila Times (Philippines) Copyright: 2004, The Manila Times Contact: http://www.manilatimes.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921 Author: Gilbert Ponsoy, Northern Luzon Bureau POLICE KILL SUSPECTED DRUG LORD IN ILOCOS SUR SHOOTOUT SANTA MARIA, Ilocos Sur-A suspected drug personality was killed when he shot it out with policemen as he was being brought to the detention cell in this town Monday, the police reported. Insp. Eric Buenconsejo, the town police chief, said the victim, Docer Dassala, 42, of Barangay Langaoan, was being brought to jail on request of his family for "safekeeping" when he exchanged fire with the policemen. Buenconsejo said Dasalla was on their list of suspected big-time drug dealers in Santa Maria. Initial investigation said that on Monday, the family of Dasalla sought police assistance to calm him down as he was creating trouble inside their house. Dasalla, according to his brother Lito, was allegedly under the influence of drugs and was "violent and uncontrollable," forcing his family to complain to the police. Buenconsejo said his men immediately responded and succeeded in convincing Dasalla to be brought to the police station. Unknown to the policemen, however, Dasalla managed to tuck a .38-caliber revolver into his waist as he was being escorted to the police station. When one of the policemen tried to bring him to one of the detention cells, Buenconsejo said Dasalla suddenly pulled out his gun and fired at them. Luckily, no one was hit as Dasalla ran out of the police station to escape, Buenconsejo added. As Dasalla was escaping, he chanced upon a tricycle driver, identified Danilo Costales, near the station and forcibly took the vehicle. Dasalla, witnesses said, threatened to kill Costales if he did not give up his tricycle. Dasalla drove away and exchanged fire with the pursuing policemen. Buenconsejo said Dasalla was hit several times during the running gun battle, killing him instantly. Buenconsejo said his men recovered from the scene the .38-caliber revolver belonging to Dasalla and a jungle knife. Also recovered were three empty shells from a 9mm-caliber pistol and six empty shells from an M-16 rifle believed to have been used by the policemen during the shootout. Buenconsejo said they still have to check whether Dasalla's gun was licensed.