7 fall in separate drug busts

CEBU, Philippines - Seven suspected drug peddlers were arrested in separate anti-drug operations in Cebu City and the province resulting to the confiscation of close to a million peso worth of illegal drugs last Wednesday.

 A suspected drug runner was also killed by still unidentified gunman in Barangay Tejero few hours after the drug bust operation was conducted by the operatives of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force in sitio Villagonzalo II.

Angelito “Gong-Gong” Araneta, 37, a known drug runner in the barangay died of a gunshot wound in the head. 

The victim was allegedly awakened by the call from his assailant outside the house. However, when the victim went out to check he was shot in the head.

Police investigators are checking on the possibility that Araneta’s killing is connected with the drug bust operation conducted by RAIDSOTF operatives in the area.

Police operatives seized at least 200 grams of shabu from Melchor “Echoy” Dela Cruz during a buy-bust operation Wednesday evening. Dela Cruz however escaped from the dragnet after he sensed the entrapment.

An undercover policeman posed as buyer and was able to close a P24,000 worth transaction with dela Cruz. During the transaction the operation was burned out prompting the suspect to elude arrest but three of his alleged cohorts and his cousin were arrested.

The police identified the arrested cohorts of dela Cruz as Allan Tamonan Ygot, 43, a plumber of Sitio Niño 3 Barangay Luz; Joel Soliano De la Cruz, 24, and Charlie Alcibar Garciso, 26, both from Villagonzalo II, Barangay Tejero.

De La Cruz’s cousin, Evangeline, 40, was also arrested after she was caught in the act of repacking shabu inside the house.

RAIDSOTF operatives recovered roughly 40 bulks of white crystalline substance believed to be shabu with an estimated street value of P1, 080,040.

According to the police, Dela Cruz is a level two drug pusher who gets his supply from a Chinese man in Muntinlupa City. The police said dela Cruz together with his cohorts will face criminal charges for violation of Sections 5, 11 and 12 of Article 2, of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In another anti-drug operation, suspected drug pusher Joseph Revillo, 31, of Langtad, Naga City was injured after a policeman shot him for resisting arrest.

Police Officer 2 Ian Quitayin of the Naga Police Station said the suspect together with two unidentified persons fired at them first while trying to flee on board a motorcycle. Revillo was arrested based on a warrant of arrest for illegal drugs while his two companions were able to escape. Recovered from the suspect was a Caliber .38 revolver with six rounds of ammunition.

In Dalaguete, Fidel Belista, 43, of Barangay Ablayan and his 17-year-old nephew, of Duljo Fatima, Cebu City were also arrested during a buy-bust operation.

Dalaguete Police chief Dexter Basirgo said they were able to seize P3,150 worth of drugs from the suspects and a Cal. 45 pistol was also seized from the minor.  (FREEMAN)