Police arrest drug personality

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu's "third most wanted drug personality" was arrested in a buy-bust operation outside his house in Barangay Ilihan, Toledo City last Friday afternoon.

Operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office arrested Felizardo Tito, 42, with several packs of shabu and four firearms.

After a month-long surveillance, PIB operatives led by SPO1 Reynaldo Solante were able to seal a supposed transaction with Tito and have agreed to buy from him a medium-pack of shabu worth P15,000.

The team proceeded to Tito's residence and the buy-bust operation was held outside his house.

As soon as Tito handed over the pack of shabu to the police decoy, he was immediately arrested.

However, Tito tried to escape and ran towards his house. From the upper floor of his house, he jumped at the back, but police still were able to accost him. He also had his hands injured from the barb wire, the report further said.

Supt. Rodulfo Albotra, chief of PIB, said this was the third time Tito was arrested for illegal drug offense. Tito posted bail and stopped his illegal activities for a while, until he recently resumed to selling shabu again, Albotra disclosed.

The PIB chief further disclosed that Tito sells shabu in bulks and would sell P100,000 worth of shabu almost everyday. His area of distribution reportedly includes the towns of Pinamungajan and Balamban.

Seized from Tito during the operation were four big packs and two medium packs of suspected shabu which amounted to almost P200,000.

Aside from this, a caliber .45 pistol, two caliber .22, and a cal. .22 long rifle were also recovered from his house.

When sought for his comment, he said the firearms were just pawned to him. He refused to comment, though, on the drugs seized.

The PIB chief said the suspect revealed some information that will help in their investigation, although he refused to divulge such information pending verification.

The suspect is now detained and will face charges for illegal drug possession and trade, illegal possession of firearms, and violation of the Comelec gun ban.  (FREEMAN)