Capala's arrest doesn't mean end of drug problem in Talisay

CEBU, Philippines - With the apprehension of one of the alleged bigtime illegal drug traders in Talisay City, the city police chief said the police expect his followers to keep a low profile for now, but it does not mean that the drug issue has been solved.

“Based on our recent monitoring, (after the arrest of Hermigildo Capala) the supply of shabu, particularly in barangay Tanke, has been affected. There may be other known personalities, too, but they lied low after that,” said Biñas.

The police chief said that although they see it as “progress” in their drive to curb the illegal drug trade in Talisay, especially in barangay Tanke, considered one of the most drug-infested in the locality, the fight is not nearing its end yet, as Capala is just one of the “many” names that the police are watching because of their alleged direct or indirect connection to the illegal business.

Also, he said that while manufacturers, which he believes are producing the illegal substance in Mindanao, are still out there, they will always be other personalities that will soon take over the posts left by Capala and those arrested or murdered drug suspects.

The 60-year-old Capala alias “Dodong,” who is the younger brother of Talisay City Councilor Ronnie Capala was arrested by the police for illegal drugs in Carcar City Wednesday dawn. 

The younger Capala is a resident of barangay Cansojong, Talisay City, was arrested in a buy-bust operation in sitio Luwan-luwan, barangay Poblacion, Carcar City by operatives of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Force (RAIDSOTF).

According to Biñas, Hermigildo has been in their watch list since he assumed as police chief more than a year ago. Biñas revealed that the councilor’s brother was even number one in the list, as he reportedly sold 1 kilogram of shabu per week, already considered a big-time drug pusher.

A kilo of shabu sells around P4 million, Biñas said.

He said the suspect had been under surveillance by his men, but since he does not stay long in his house in barangay Cansojong, he has not since been caught and arrested. He reportedly has houses in Dalaguete and Negros.

Hermigildo however denied the accusations, saying that he is engaged in fishing and that he is one of the owners of a cockpit in Talisay.

The arresting team reportedly recovered from the suspect 25 grams of suspected shabu worth P150,000.

For his part, Councilor Capala, who will be running for his second term this May, negated the accusations leveled against his brother, saying that although Hermigildo plays derbies, he has not involved himself in the illegal drug trade.

He said the evidence reportedly found from his brother’s possession was planted. – Liv G. Campo (THE FREEMAN)