12 fall in a day in anti-drugs operations

CEBU, Philippines - In just a day, police arrested 12 suspects in separate anti-illegal drugs operations in the province last Saturday. 

Arrests started in Consolacion town where a joint operation in Barangay Tanod and Barangay Pulpogan led to the arrest of six suspects.

Police went to Phase 1, Pulpogan following reports from a concerned citizen that a group of men were selling drugs there. When they arrived there, they witnessed what reportedly looked like a negotiation on a sale. When one man handed what was suspected to be shabu to another man, the arrest was made.

Placed under arrest were Jessmhar Ompong, 20, of Pagsabungan, Mandaue City; Lemuel Isoto, 29, of Poblacion Occidental, Consolacion; Louie Ven Hisola, 22, of Cansaga, Consolacion; Jay Ponce, 18, of Yati, Liloan; Ritchie Marikit, 22, of Barangay Jugan, Consolacion; and Lord Reyes, 28, of Pulpogan, Consolacion.

The suspects reportedly tried but failed to escape.

Hours later in Pinamungajan town, policemen were patrolling Sitio Tubod, Barangay Poblacion around midday when they chanced upon three men allegedly negotiating the sale of illegal drugs. They tried to get near them just as one man was handing something over to his companion, the three reportedly scampered away to different directions.

After a brief chase, Ricky Pono, 39, of Barangay Poblacion, was arrested with a small packet of shabu and P340 believed to be proceeds of the sale.

At 3 p.m. in Liloan town, a 44-year-old Johny “Johny Mongkoy” Quirol was arrested after he allegedly sold a pack of shabu to a poseur buyer. Police confiscated seven small packs of suspected shabu and P200 cash believed to be proceeds of the sale from Quirol.

One hour later in the neighboring town of Consolacion, Harold “Titing” Amian and Herman Maquilan, both residents of Sitio Bagakay, Barangay Tayud were arrested during a buy bust operation. A team led by Consolacion Police chief, Senior Inspector Franco Rudolf Orio, hatched the bust after receiving several reports from concerned citizens that Amian is engaged in selling drugs. Police then transacted with Amian who was with Maquilan at that time for a pack of shabu worth P200. The suspects were arrested when the sale was consummated. Two small packs of suspected shabu were also recovered from Maquilan.

Two towns away in Compostela, another suspect was arrested past 10 p.m. in Barangay Cogon. Police recovered three small packs of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia during a search of the residence of Janice Sasing. The search was conducted by virtue of a warrant issued by RTC Branch 56 Judge Teresita Galanida.

About two hours later, Miguel Saladaga was arrested in Barangay Maya after he allegedly sold a pack of shabu to a poseur buyer worth P300.

The 12 arrested will be charged for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.  (FREEMAN)