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.