Guess again, drug users

Drug pushers and users in Mandaluyong City thought cops would not be as vigilant during the Holy Week.

They were wrong.

At least 36 people were rounded up in an intensified anti-illegal drug operations during the Holy Week in Mandaluyong City.

Mayor Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. ordered the no let-up drive amid reports that drug pushers would take advantage of the absence of policemen who were assigned to assist motorists going home to the provinces.

And true enough, the men of Senior Superintendent Sukarno Ikbala, Mandaluyong City police chief and the Mayor’s Action Command (MAC), arrested the suspects in a series of anti-drug operations.

Those arrested were identified as Dinky Chua, 38; Josefina Tutaan, 49; Randy Herbosa, 31; Arnold Candela, 40; Edgardo Ariola, 37; Rosalie Urbano, 29; Leidy Galang, 29; Rogelio Manatad, 30; Dennis Galang, 32; Manolo Crespo, 40; Anthony Angeles, 22; Ruben Ramirez, 48; Marvin Tara, 28; Alberto Tamara, 33; John Verga, 29; Susan Crespo, 46; Carol Reyes, 33; Pablo Manalo; Ryan Balandang; Mario Gavalpin; Jose Intinta; Ronald Beapo; Rolando Benitez, 23; Lauro Roxas, 30; Reario Santos Jr., 35; Henry Canoy, 40; Francis Mendoza, 27; Trevor Woodard, 26; Angelita Valencia, 51; Marlon Cordova, 25; and Mylen Padua, 31.

Ikbala said the intensified anti-drug operations are part of their effort to make Mandaluyong City drug-free.

He admitted that majority of those arrested were the same persons nabbed during earlier buy-bust operations.

He added that Abalos shelled out cash to support their anti-drug drive during the Holy Week.

"We will continue to conduct this kind of operation so that we will be able to achieve a drug-free Mandaluyong," said Ikbala.

Meanwhile, the Makati Anti-Drug Council (MADAC) and the Makati police Drug Enforcement Unit continues to hit hard on drug offenders with 54 arrests in March alone.

In a report to Mayor Jejomar Binay, the MADAC and DEU said month-long operations resulted in the arrest of 24 users and 30 drug pushers. Sixteen of those arrested were included in the watchlist of notorious offenders, including Patrick Solsona, a suspected drug pusher from Barangay Pinagkaisahan.

Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, who is also MADAC chair, said they filed a total of 74 cases against the suspects, including three cases against Solsona. He was charged with violation of Sections 5, 11, and 15 of Art II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.

In Quezon City and Manila, agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized almost half a kilo of shabu and 20 Ecstasy tablets in separate operations.

PDEA Special Enforcement Service chief Superintendent Pepito Domantay said the operations also resulted in the arrest of six drug peddlers.

Jimbo Yasing, Nor Bandon and Roger Daul were nabbed last Sunday after delivering P600,000 worth of shabu to an undercover agent near Ever Gotesco on Commenwealth Avenue.

On the other hand, Stephanie Bacaltos, Conrado Carancho and Heather Carancho were caught during a sting operation along Leon Guinto after selling 20 Ecstasy tablets to an undercover agent for P20,000. – With Jaime Laude