CEBU, Philippines - As part of the police’s Oplan Balik Eskwela anti-criminal campaign, 13 illegal dispatchers in the down town area were rounded up yesterday by the operatives of the Cebu City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group.
CAIDSOTG operatives led by PO3 Brasilio Borinaga conducted the saturation drive against the illegal dispatchers from the Citilink Terminal down to the vicinity of the University of the Visayas on Colon St.
The 13 dispatchers or PUJ barkers are suspected to be drug users which the police believe could be dangerous to the students.
The arrested dispatchers were identified as Brandon Apostol Sontucidad, 29; Oliver Bayang Tubuyas, 30; Crispin Teves Ribusa, 29; Allan Abella Flores, 29; Joseph Abadiez Olita, 32; Akihiro Montesclaros, 18; Diomar Empuerto Canen, 23; Arnulfo Justo, 27; Joel Sano Sestoso, 35; Jayson Grate Anedo, 28; Jimmy Bellame Baguio, 23; Eddie Rayko Eliot, 29; and Danilo Silvano Nuñez, 35.
The police said they will be charged today for violation of the City Ordinance which prohibits dispatching in the city. The ordinance provides a penalty of P500.
According to the police, if these illegal dispatchers could afford to pay the penalty they will be put to jail.
“Dugay na man gud ko sige apply trabaho nya wa jud ko makit-an mao nag dispatcher ko,” Nuñez told The FREEMAN.
According to him, it is his first time to be arrested and he is not sure if he can pay the said amount.
The police vowed to sustain their operation until all the dispatchers shall have been arrested.
“Hangtud mahurot na sila,” a member of the saturation team said. – Veronica Basas, Lorlaine Joy Olorvida and Jen-jen Raymundo /FPL (THE FREEMAN)