Since January this year, a total of 17 killings were reported in the city, of which 12 victims were involved in the growing drug trade in the city.

City PNP Chief George Vale told The Chronicle the incidents just proved  the drug operation in the city has complicated with “turf war” among drug personalities.

He identified those slain due to drug activities as Cris Ian Dolauta of Bool, this city (April 6), Mary Anthony De Guzman of Tiptip, this city ((April 23), Pio John Aceron of Visarra St. (May 20), Jaypee Paparon of Enerio st, (May 27), Reynaldo Pocoy of Tamblot st. (Hybe 14), Rey Baynas of Booy district (June 22), William Tan Velez of Tamblot st., (Aug 13), Marcos Alangani of CPG North (Oct. 25), Joseph Otero, Jr of CPG North Dao, (Oct 25).

The latest victim identified as Marvin Ingles, also known as Baloy, of Guiwanon Baclayon, who was gunned down along JA Clarin St., last Tuesday. Aside from drugs, Ingles was also involved in thievery cases, Vale said.

Other victims who were involved in drugs and robbery  were Eugene Paredes of Alegria in Loay town and Reynaldo Apongan of Taloto district,this city,

Of the 12 slain alleged drug personalities, the suspected triggermen remain unidentified as police had concluded the suspects are also into the drug operation.

Meanwhile, the draftsman who got killed due to alleged conflict in the drawing of a house plan identified as Gennis Angalot had his cases considered solved with the suspect’s identity, Nilo Batinol.

The murder of a certain Jimmy Pedrigon, also known as Jimspread of Tamblot, remains unsolved while the motive of the killing was still to be established. This was not drug-related, according to the police.

The case of dyRD radio blocktimer, Engr. Maurito Lim, who was gunned down inside his Crosswind on Valentine’s Day this year was traced to a land dispute while the suspect identified as Jovani Orenia is held behind bars and the case is now in court.

Vale said the situation has not raised the peace and order condition in  the city as “alarming” citing that more than 70 percent were related to drugs and police characters who got into trouble with their supposedly “partners” in their illegal activities.

“I would say it would be alarming if there were mistaken identities of those killed,” Vale stressed.

He assured the public the PNP remains to be on top of the situation even as he appealed to residents to cooperate by giving information to the police on suspected personalities in their respective areas.

The incidence of killings of drug suspects, however, caused some residents to describe the city as “no longer the same peaceful Tagbilaran we used to have.”

Police admitted the alarming proportion of people involved in drugs while he vowed a no let-up campaign against drug abuse and distribution here.