Drug suspects, jail escapee fall

CEBU, Philippines - Police pounced on three alleged drug pushers and seized from them suspected shabu worth P80,000 in separate anti-drug operations in Cebu City last Friday night.

The first arrest was carried out by elements of the City Investigation and Detective Management Branch (CIDMB) in Barangay Pasil against Restiel March Amigable, 23, of M. Dela Concepcion Street. CIDMB personnel were conducting a saturation drive when they spotted Amigable acting suspiciously.

Amigable reportedly tried to escape when the policemen approached him and called his attention. He was eventually subdued and policemen seized from him 27 sachets of shabu worth P300 each. Police believed Amigable was about to sell the sachets when he was intercepted.

Amigable refused to comment on his arrest.

An hour later, the City Intelligence Branch arrested drug convict Joanrey Alfeche and his first degree cousin, Milyren Alfeche during an operation in Barangay Ermita.

CIB chief, Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, said the Alfeches were arrested with two huge packs and 37 small packs of shabu worth P65,000. The two large packs, he said, cost P25,000 each.

Joanrey has just been released from jail last Tuesday after posting bail at P200,000 for an illegal drugs possession case, Santander said.

The cousins reportedly tried to resist arrest at first, but eventually gave in to authorities.

“They do this as a living,” the CIB chief said.

Joanrey refused to comment when reporters tried to get his side while Milyren claimed that she was just dragged to the situation.

Charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the three suspects.

Meanwhile, one of the three inmates who bolted from the Toledo City Jail last March was rearrested dawn last Friday in Talisay City.

Personnel of the Provincial Public Safety Company of Cebu Provincial Police Office rearrested Joselito Rebaya who is facing a case for illegal possession of firearms.

Rebaya, a resident of Barangay Lutopan, Toledo City, was reportedly spotted by an informant who tipped the police off about his whereabouts. During his arrest, police seized from him a .38 caliber revolver with three live ammunition.

Chief Insp. Michael Anthony Bastes, chief of Toledo City Police Station, said the suspect had been hiding since March and was accidentally spotted and arrested, contrary to the suspect’s claim that he surrendered to the police.

Early last March, Rebaya escaped from the Toledo City jail with fellow inmates Nilo Lombreno, and Apolinario Canumay. Canumay, a frustrated murder suspect, later surrendered.  (FREEMAN)