Target in drug operation eludes arrest

CEBU, Philippines - A level 2 drug pusher was able to elude arrest while his trusted man and three other suspects were arrested during a drug raid Thursday evening in Sitio San Jose, Barangay Labogon, Mandaue City.

Operatives of the Basak Police Station led by their station chief Police Senior Inspector Genilo Veraque conducted a raid last Thursday evening in the residence of Melyn Bermiso, a level 2 drug pusher in the area.

Veraque said during the raid, they first conducted a buy-bust operation against Bermiso's trusted man, who was identified as Nepumuceno Manlukot.

Manlukot was first arrested after he handed a small pack of shabu to a police decoy in exchange of two P100 bills.

But as the police were able to handcuff the suspect, Bermiso, who was the target of the raid, was able to elude arrest by passing through the basement door of her house.

Veraque said they have long been monitoring Bermiso as they got suspicious of her lifestyle. She is known to be jobless.

When police later knew that the suspect was involved in illegal drugs and even allegedly uses her house for repacking shabu and as venue for drug session, the raid was immediately planned.

Residents in the area did not reportedly cooperate with the police when they conducted a background check on the target as it was later learned that  neighbors would mostly seek her help when in need.

Although Bermiso eluded arrest, two other suspects who were caught sniffing illegal drugs inside her house, were arrested.

They were identified as Jhondie Wenceslao, 23, of Hermag Village, Barangay Pagsabungan and Julieto Roma, 40, of Doña Rosario Village, Barangay Pagsabungan.

During the raid, police were able to seize four small packs of suspected shabu, P200 marked money and another P350 cash from Manlukot. Police were also able to seize shabu paraphernalia from Wenceslao and .38 caliber pistol was confiscated from Roma.

All three suspects are now detained at the Basak Police Station pending the filing of appropriate charges against them, including Bermiso, who remains at large.

Meanwhile, a 70-year-old senior citizen who just received his P1,500 financial assistance from the Office of the Senior Citizens last Thursday morning  was arrested by the operatives of the Basak Police station after he was served with a warrant of arrest for a rape case.

The incident was reportedly committed four months ago.

Diosdado Marca, married, from Sogod town, was arrested by the police operatives just as he was about to leave the covered court of Barangay Tabok gym in Mandaue City after receiving his P1,500 financial assistance.

Police Senior Inspector Genilo Veraque, the chief of the Basak Police Station, said the suspect was arrested after a warrant of arrest for a rape with no bail recommended was served against him. It was signed by Judge Mercedita Dadole-Yap of the RTC Branch 28.

It was his daughter-in-law who personally filed a rape case against the suspect after he allegedly raped his own seven-year-old granddaughter four months ago.

The suspect is currently detained at the Basak Police Station, this as the police are waiting for a commitment order for him to be transferred at the Mandaue City Jail. (FREEMAN)