Relatives try to prevent police from arresting drug suspect

CEBU, Philippines - Relatives of a drug suspect tried to prevent police last Sunday from arresting a family member for allegedly selling illegal drugs in sitio Chicos in barangay Labogon, Mandaue City.

The police arrested Vicente Manatad Plomentera, 47, married, resident of the place after a buy-bust operation.

PO2 Retchie Ondo of the Basak Police station said Plomentera was watched for a week after being tipped off by neighbors regarding his illegal drug transactions.

The buy-bust was conducted by PO2 Fernando Fernan, PO1 Gerry Gasgonia, and PO1 Waldo Batad who served as the poseur buyer.

After Batad handed the P300 marked money in exchange for a small pack of shabu, he immediately introduced himself as a policeman, and began handcuffing him.

Police said Plomentera resisted and began shouting for help.

His relatives came and surrounded the three policemen, which led to a commotion.

PO2 Fernan suffered a bruise after he was punched once on his right shoulder, as other relatives tried to wrest Plomentera from the policemen.

But the policemen called for back up. When a mobile police car arrived, Plomentera’s relatives fled.

Aside from the small pack of shabu and the P300 pesos marked money, police also seized another small pack of shabu from Plomentera. He was taken to the Basak police station.

Charges are being prepared against him. – Flor Z. Perolina   (FREEMAN NEWS)