Son of late vice guv arrested

CEBU, Philippines - The son of the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez is now detained after he was arrested in Barangay Mabolo last Friday night for allegedly stealing his family’s yacht and for using shabu.

Leodegreco Padilla Sanchez, also called “Greco”, 39, was arrested following a complaint by his elder sister Grecilda “Gigi” Sanchez-Zaballero.

Greco, who resides in Ma. Luisa Estate Park in Barangay Banilad, was arrested with his friend Eduard Teves, 30, a resident of San Vicente Village, Mandaue City. Each was reportedly found with a pack of suspected shabu.

It was Gigi who called up the Regional Special Operations Group Friday morning and reported that several armed men who came on a maroon Nissan Sentra with license plate numbers GHZ-523 took over their yacht at gunpoint where it was docked in Barangay Catarman, Liloan town.

The men, allegedly led by Greco and Teves, then set sail with the yacht for Cebu City, along with her crew and caretaker.

A team led by Chief Insp. George Ylanan traced the suspects and on the evening of the same day, they received information that the same Nissan Sentra was seen parked along Tres Borces St., Sitio Sindulan, Barangay Mabolo.

Police proceeded to the area and reportedly caught Greco and Teves in the act of preparing shabu paraphernalia inside a house. The police said the door was open and its occupants could be visibly seen from outside.

Police frisked the suspects for possible weapons and eventually confiscated a big pack of suspected shabu from Greco and a small pack of the same powdery substance from Teves.They also recovered shabu paraphernalia in the house including disposable lighters and rolled tinfoil.

Greco and Teves were arrested and are now detained at the Police Regional Office-7 detention cell.

In an interview, Greco said he cannot be accused of stealing something that he partly owns.

He said that when his father was still alive, the yacht was turned over to him and the rest of his siblings.

“How can I be accused of stealing something thatI also own? Dili ko komportabli nga mo-ingon ko nga gikuha nako kay tag-iya man sad ko, just like di ko matingala nga mosud ko sa Bantay Radyo, mosud ko sa among opisina. Dili man ko mahug nga gatecrasher og unsa man gani, bisan ug tuwad-tualihon na’ kay usa man sad ko sa tag-iya,” Greco asserted.

The late vice governor’s son further claimed that he also asked permission from the vessel’s captain before sailing it away.

“Buntag sayo akong kawaton ang yati? Kadako anang yati! Kun gikawat pa na’ nako, nganong mananghid pa man ko sa kapitan? Unsaon man nako pagkawat sa butang sa akoa sad,” Greco further claimed.

Greco said his sister is just abusing her power because she is close to some politicians. She is running for PB member of the third district under the Liberal Party.

Greco also denied owning the suspected shabu recovered from him and Teves.

The police are now preparing the charges to be filed against them. It can be recalled that Greco was in the news after an encounter with Joavan Fernandez, the adopted son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, who has his own brushes with the law. Greco has also undergone rehabilitation for using illegal drugs. (FREEMAN)