Top Cebu drug suspect falls in sting operation

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Thursday said it has arrested the "Number 3" man of a notorious drug group in Cebu province.

PDEA chief Arturo Cacdac Jr. identified the suspect as Erlando Bonghanoy Oyao, 56, of Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City.

Cacdac said Oyao is included in the target list of drug personalities in the province and is believed to be the third ranking member of the Winnie delos Santos drug group.

The PDEA chief said the suspect is a brother of incumbent Barangay Agus Chairman Bo Oyao, who lost in the congressional race for the lone district of Lapu-Lapu City in the May 13 elections.

Cacdac said that Oyao had been arrested and charged with a drug case, but he was acquitted in 2002.

Oyao was arrested by the PDEA operatives last July 8 after selling 15 grams of shabu to a poseur buyer in Barangay Agus.

Cacdac said two plastic sachets believed to be containing cocaine were also confiscated from Oyal during the operation.