Chase, crash lead to drugs, guns

CEBU, Philippines - A mere traffic violation for not wearing a helmet while driving his motorcycle at around 2 a.m. yesterday escalated into bigger problems for an alleged ex-convict who was later arrested after P200,000 worth of shabu, firearms and drug paraphernalia were recovered from his possession.

Joel Noel, 35, a resident of T. Padilla St., Cebu City, was initially spotted by members of the Mobile Patrol Group onboard car 019 for violating a traffic rule.

He was not wearing a helmet while driving his black Yamaha motorcycle bearing plate number 6677 OT along P. Del Rosario and Sikatuna Streets in Barangay Day-as, Cebu City.

The police were conducting a routine patrol when they saw Noel.

After noticing the police on his trail, Noel then sped off and even disregarded the stop signals on two traffic lights as he fled towards Imus Road. There, he passed by the Pari-an Police Station who was also conducting a checkpoint at that time.

He evaded the checkpoint and continued fleeing onboard his motorcycle while the police continued to chase him until they reached General Maxilom Avenue.

Upon reaching S. Osmeña Street at the North Reclamatioin Area, Noel crashed and fell off his motorcycle.

Despite his leg injuries from the crash, Noel stood up and tried to run away again but PO1 Necio Torreon was able to apprehend the suspect who tried to shoot him.

Noel failed to hit PO1 Torreon who managed to hold the suspect and grab the gun with the help of his fellow policemen.

They confiscated a caliber .45 pistol from Noel.

Aside from the gun he used to shoot Torreon, also recovered from Noel’s possession was a .45 caliber pistol, five big plastic packs, 13 medium packs and a small sachet containing substance believed to be shabu.

The confiscated evidence was submitted to the Crime Laboratory for examination. 

Cebu City Police Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said one of Noel’s guns might be payment for a drug transaction based on a text message that they retrieved from the suspect’s cellular phone.

Buenafe added that the suspect might be on his way to deliver the drugs.

As of yesterday, the suspect was still confined at the Cebu City Medical Center for treatment.

Buenafe revealed they received reports that Noel has also been jailed in Muntinlupa for illegal drugs.

Buenafe said they will be coordinating with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in their investigation.

He will also recommend that the arresting officers be given medals by the Police Regional Office – 7 headquarters for their determination in pursuing and arresting the suspect. 

Buenafe also encouraged the public to be vigilant at all times and immediately report when crimes happen.

Charges for illegal possession of drugs and firearms as well as Direct Assault and traffic violations are being prepared against Noel.

Meanwhile, A level-two drug pusher was arrested yesterday afternoon during a buy-bust operation in Sitio Cañarez, Barangay Lorega, Cebu City.

Fabian Rafols VIII, 22, of the said place, was arrested outside his house at around 3 p.m. by elements of the City Intelligence Branch headed by Chief Insp. Romeo Santander.

Recovered from Rafols were seven medium-sized sachets of suspected shabu worth P3,500 each for a total of P25,000; P7,160 believed to be proceeds from his drug transactions, and the P200 buy-bust money.

Santander said they were tipped by a concerned barangay official.

The suspect was under surveillance for two days because of the reportedly blatant selling of drugs in the area.

He said Rafols appeared on their watch list and that he took over his dead brother, Fabian Rafols III, who was also reportedly known for selling drugs in the area.

Rafols initially transacted with the poseur-buyer outside his home but when he noticed the presence of policemen, he tried to escape and ran into a tiny comfort room made of hollow blocks where he stumbled prompting the policemen to grab his feet. 

Rafols fell and was injured on the right side of his forehead and left arm during the buy-bust operation.

“Wala’y laing pangwarta kay ako ra ma’y nagbuhi sa akong kaugalingon, (I don’t have any other means of livelihood.)” Rafols told The FREEMAN. 

His parents, who work in a cemetery, tried to convince him to stop peddling drugs.

Rafols is currently detained at Cebu City Police Office stockade while the police are preparing charges for violating Republic Act 9165 also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Santander said this buy-bust operation is part of Police Regional Office 7 Director Marcelo Garbo Jr.’s directive to intensify their operations against the proliferation of drugs in the region. (FREEMAN)