Three more Talisay brgys on priority list

CEBU, Philippines - Following the illegal drugs raid in Barangay Tangke, Talisay City on Thursday, the Provincial Intelligence Branch admitted yesterday that three more barangays remain on its priority list.

Supt. Rodulfo Albotra Jr., PIB chief, said considering the population and status of the city, drug use is also widespread.

“All barangays are being monitored but naa mi priority barangays… but the city as a whole, affected gyud,” Albotra told The FREEMAN.

The Cebu Provincial Police Office has already placed under watch the component cities of Talisay, Naga, Toledo, Danao and Bogo, as well as the town of Consolacion owing to reports of illegal drugs activities.

Sr. Supt. Noel Gillamac, CPPO director, has challenged Talisay City police chief Supt. Carmelo Dayon’s to strengthen the office’s operations against illegal drugs following the confiscation of illegal drugs worth P600,000; drugs paraphernalia, as well as functional video Karera machines in Barangay Tangke.

Gillamac has directed Dayon to catch the big fish and not just the pushers in the streets.

The performance of the Talisay Police as far as eliminating drug activities is reportedly poor, Gillamac said.

“This should serve as a warning to other police chiefs to do their part in eradicating the menace in the society… if and when mausab pa ni nga ang PIB na ang muhimo sa operasyon unya daghan ug makuha I will relieve the police chief,” Gillamac said.

He said he will be forced to penalize the police force should they continue to fall short of expectations. To be strict about it, he said, Dayon’s failure to lead his men in the anti-illegal drugs campaign constitutes neglect of duty, which is a serious offense.

Dayon, for his part, said his men are doing their best. He assumed office in March this year.

 “We are after the challenge pero sayop ang statement nga wa mi gibuhat,” he lamented. He said that while they may score low in the anti-drugs campaign, they are actually scoring high in other areas.

“Oo, gamay rami og accomplishments sa RA 9165 pero crime against persons ug crime against property, diha mi daghan na contribute para sa lugar,” Dayon said.

Meanwhile, a level 2 drug pusher was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Binaobao, Bantayan last weekend. 

Reggie Tabinas, also known as “Babalu” or “Yakmu”, 26, originally from Barangay Pook, Santa Fe, was arrested by the Bantayan Police at past 4 p.m. Saturday.

He was arrested just as he received two P500 bills from PO1 Roque Villaceran Jr. who acted as poseur buyer.

Recovered from Tabinas were three large plastic packs and one medium pack of shabu with an estimated price of  P80,000; a weighing scale, a Nokia cell phone; and P250 cash.

He is detained temporarily at the Bantayan Police Station.  (FREEMAN)