Cop receives death threats from drug trade "protector"

A policeman of the Punta Princesa Police station yesterday complained that he received a death threat, via phone call, from a man who he suspected to be a policeman also that has been acting as "protector" of traders of illegal drugs on A. Lopez Street in barangay Labangon.

PO3 Allan Batobalonos said he received the call at past 2 p.m. last Monday warning him to stop raiding the lairs of drug personalities in the area or he will be killed.

The man refused to identify himself but told Batobalonos: "Ikaw maoy Allan Batobalonos? Tagaan lang ka namo og usa ka bulan, kung dili ka mohunong pagpangdakop sa A.Lopez, amo gyud kang kuhaon."

Batobalonos said he already has an inkling on who the caller was, who he also described as a city policeman from batch 1996 but has remained with the rank of PO1 until now. This man had previously asked him to release some people arrested for drug pushing.

City Police acting director, Supt. Melvin Gayotin, already asked intelligence head, Supt. Pablo Labra, to look into the revelation of Batobalonos who he also urged to cooperate by telling the name of the man he has suspected as "protector."

"Natumban lang siguro nato ang ilang operasyon, katong ilang mga tinabunan siguro," said Batobalonos adding that he could be the same man who masterminded last year's slay-try of SPO1 Francisco Balansag, who also conducted series of operations against drug suspects in A. Lopez.

In spite of the threat, Batobalonos and his team yesterday at A. Lopez Street arrested Warlito "Ewar" Baldesamo, 32, a level-2 drug pusher who took control of the business of his brother Vevincio, who was arrested in a buy bust last June by Pardo policemen. - Edwin Ian Melecio/RAE