16 arrested for vagrancy, illegal drugs

CEBU, Philippines - An ex-convict who is reportedly a noted thief and 15 other persons were arrested for vagrancy and illegal drugs during an operation conducted by police in different areas in Cebu City yesterday.

Ian Matahom, 28, of barangay Calamba was arrested yesterday midnight at the Night Market along Osmeña Boulevard loitering around allegedly looking for possible victims. He will be charged with vagrancy.

Chief Insp. George Ylanan, head of the City Investigation and Detective Management Branch (CIDMB), said that prior to his arrest, Matahom was caught slashing the bag of a person with a blade.

During a body search, a wallet, pair of earrings and women’s sunglasses, believed to be from his victims, were recovered from his possession. Also recovered were three aluminum tin foils, paper wicks, and a disposable lighter.

The suspect admitted to police and reporters that he is a thief and that he had pulled off his trade six times in less than a month after being released from detention for concealing bladed weapons.

“Gipahingusgan namo amo kampanya against petty criminals kay gipahingusgan man sad ani nila ila kampnaya preying on holiday shoppers,” Ylanan told reporters yesterday.

Matahom said he used to work as a porter at the South Bus Terminal but Byron Garcia, Capitol consultant on security, shooed him along with his fellow porters, dispatchers and vendors away from the terminal few months ago.

An hour after Matahom’s arrest, 15 people, including two women, were also arrested in barangay Kamagayan for vagrancy and for illegal drugs. An ampule of nubain was seized from each of their possession. – Niña G. Sumacot/LPM   (FREEMAN NEWS)