Garbo to his men: Catch the big fish

CEBU, Philippines - Regional Police Director Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo challenged his men in Central Visayas to also focus on arresting the “big fish” in the illegal drugs trade and not be satisfied with “low level” players.

Garbo said he appreciates the efforts of his men in going after pushers and users, but attention should also be given to the main source of the drugs.

“Ako, hindi ako kuntento kasi okay na sa kanila ‘yung marami silang naaaresto na maliliit… bakit hindi sila du’n sa source talaga?” Garbo said yesterday.

He said policemen can actually tap those that they have arrested into the barangay intelligence network. After all, they have the capacity to identify their source(s) of drugs who can eventually lead them to the supplier.

“Una at pangalawang arrest pwedeng hindi sampahan ‘yan kung maliit lang, isang gramo lang nang shabu ang nakuha… ‘yang taong yan ang gamitin nila,” Garbo said.

Just last Wednesday, police arrested drug pushers in a series of drug operations in Barili, Carcar, Naga, Danao and Bogo. The operation was conducted in line with the police’s “Oplan Limpyo Probinsiya.”

Carcar City police arrested Rommel Velez in Barangay Ocaña at 9pm by virtue of an arrest warrant for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. A packet of shabu was seized from his possession.

Meanwhile, six small packets of shabu were confiscated from a certain Jonathan Baylon, 50, and his 19-year-old daughter, Sarah, who were arrested in separate operations also in Carcar.

In Naga, police arrested Margarita Genodiana, 70, but her son Wendell, 37, eluded arrest during a buy-bust operation at their residence in Barangay Langtad.

In Bogo, Randy Buhawi, an alleged drug pusher, was arrested in Barangay Sambag, Bogo. Seized from him were 28 pieces of marijuana sticks. In Danao, Mark Capuno, 19, of Barangay Tuburan Sur was arrested for possession of two marijuana sticks.

In Barili, Ruel Ricablanca, 29, was arrested after he was caught carrying a small packet of shabu. — (FREEMAN)