12 fall, shabu stash seized in raids

CEBU, Philippines - Three suspected drug pushers while nine alleged visitors of a drug den were arrested in separate anti-illegal drug operations of the National Bureau of Investigation-7 in the cities of Cebu and Talisay yesterday.

Led by agent on case lawyer Edgardo Baldemos, a team from the NBI-7 conducted a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tangke, Talisay City at 5 a.m., arresting ten persons and confiscating at least 243 sachets of suspected shabu.

Michael Padillo, the subject of the operation, was arrested after he sold a pack of shabu to an agent who acted as the poseur-buyer.

Nine other men who were found inside Padillo’s house, which allegedly served as a drug den, were also arrested.

The suspects were identified as Rommel Romuando, Michael Aballo, John Libre, Raffy Daan, Jomar Padillo, Magincio Mangaron, Marvin Jake Daan, and a 17-year-old boy. The name of the ninth suspect was not yet available as of press time.

Seized inside Padillo’s house were assorted packs of suspected shabu, a cal. 38 magnum revolver, and drug paraphernalia.

In an interview, the minor suspect denied visiting the drug den and taking in illegal drugs, saying he only went to Padillo’s place to take a rest.

NBI-7 director Max Salvador said the suspects will be subjected to a drug test and, if found positive, will be facing charges for drug use and for visiting a drug den, both a violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Salvador said dangerous drugs are rampant in Barangay Tangke, which is known for illegal drug trade.

Meanwhile, another team from the NBI-7 led by agent Rey Villordon served a search warrant in sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Calamba, Cebu City and arrested Roberto “Gringo” Escopete, 27.

Five grams of suspected shabu with a street value of P10,000 to P17,000 were seized from Escopete.

Another subject of the warrant, Niño Ramas, a neighbor of Escopete, eluded arrest. The NBI agents found two firearms inside his residence.

Villordon said that on October 14, 2014, they have conducted a test-buy operation against Escopete before applying for the search warrant.

Escopete denied owning the drugs.

He claimed that the pieces of evidence recovered by the NBI agents were planted, an allegation Villordon dismissed.  (FREEMAN)