Probe on vs cops linked to Sabalones

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 is investigating policemen who allegedly received money from alleged drug lord Franz Sabalones.

“Karon, ongoing ang investigation sa ilahang lifestyle, ilahang capability to sustain that lifestyle,” PDEA - 7 Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz told reporters yesterday.

Ruiz said they are investigating at least five cops, including a high-ranking PNP official.

He, however, refused to divulge the identities of the policemen whose names reportedly appear in an affidavit Sabalones executed.

Sabalones, the brother of San Fernando Vice Mayor Fralz Sabalones, is now under police custody after he turned himself over to PNP Director-General Ronald dela Rosa August last year.

“Morag naka-indicate na sa iyahang affidavit. Didto ra sad mi nag-center sa investigation sa iyahang affidavit and along the way, naa pa ta’y lain ma-uncover,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz said they are now coordinating with the Regional Internal Affairs Service of the Police Regional Office-7 to strengthen their investigation.

“Ongoing ang atong coordination sa ilaha. Regular na siya. Ang RIAS, in turn, kung naay gi-request sa atoa for investigation, we are very much willing,” he said.

Recently, the Court of Appeals ordered Sabalones’ assets frozen, including at least six lots, a 6.4 hectare poultry farm, a beach resort in San Fernando town, six sports utility vehicles, and three bank accounts with cash deposits amounting to P76 million.

Ruiz believes the freezing of Sabalones’ assets will discourage those who might want to invest in the illegal drug trade.

“For sure, it will have a big effect kay, for sure, kung naay plano puhon, it will affect the financial capacity. Unsaon nila pagpalit kung wala sila’y means to buy?” he said.

At the Cebu Provincial Police Office, Director Eric Noble said the court decision will “alarm” Sabalones’ underlings in the drug trade.

“Ma-rattle na sila ngayon dahil iyung mga pera nila, hindi na nila alam kung saan ilalagay. Malaking epekto sa kanila niyan. Nabigla sila diyan, siyempre P76 million,” he said.

Noble also praised the government for pushing for the freezing order against Sabalones’ assets.

“Maganda ang naging aksyon ng gobyerno natin diyan na i-freeze ang kanyang account. Ito iyung maganda na may isang drug personality na na-freeze iyung account. Ito iyung hinihintay natin. I am happy that it happens,” he said.

Noble believes the assets of the people in Sabalones’ affidavit must also be frozen. (FREEMAN)