NBI arrests son of vice governor

CEBU, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation yesterday arrested the only son of Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. upon the order of the court for his drug rehabilitation.

Regional Trial Court Judge Maximo Perez in Argao ordered last January 21 for Leodegreco “Greco” Sanchez to be committed at the New Horizons Drug Rehabilitation Center in barangay Candabong for treatment and rehabilitation.

The order stemmed from the petition filed by the vice governor himself for his son’s confinement and rehabilitation.

The court granted the petition following the drug dependency examination by Dr. Cipriano Flores, an accredited physician of the Dangerous Drugs Board.

The court granted the petition and ordered the center to submit periodic reports to the court on the progress of Greco’s rehabilitation.

Greco was accosted by the NBI operatives led by Supervising Agent Jose Hermie Monsanto outside his house in barangay Busay, Cebu City at past 5:00 yesterday afternoon.

He allegedly tried to resist arrest but was eventually subdued by the NBI agents staking out of his house. Greco was immediately brought to the drug rehabilitation in Argao after meeting with his father at the NBI office.   The vice governor visited his son last night at the NBI office before he was brought to the rehabilitation center.

Greco made the news in September of 2005 when a former employee of the vice governor reported to the police that Greco threatened to kill him.

Mark Anthony Damalao, 25, alleged that he was picked up by Greco at his residence in Green Hills, Casuntingan, Mandaue City on September 18 of that year.

Damalao was brought to the mountain barangay of Taptap in Cebu City where Greco allegedly pointed a gun at him and threatened to kill him.

Damalao said he jumped off the vehicle and fled on foot. — Fred P. Languido/LPM (THE FREEMAN)