5 fall for drugs

CEBU, Philippines - Five men were arrested for drug offenses Thursday night during separate police operations in Cebu City.

In Barangay Pung-ol Sibugay, an alleged Level 3 drug pusher was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Cebu City Intelligence Branch operatives at around 8 p.m. Thursday.

Elezier Bontilao, 28, of Sitio Kambitas of the same barangay, was detained at the Cebu City Police Office after he sold a small pack of suspected shabu to the poseur-buyer in exchange for P200.

Superintendent Romeo Santander, CIB chief, said aside from drugs, neighbors of Bontilao also accused him of shooting at them with his air gun.

During the operation, the CIB operatives confiscated 30 small packs of suspected shabu, a 9mm pistol, two improvised .22 cal. air rifles and 10 metal pellets. They also seized cash amounting to P4,800 believed to be drug money.

Santander said they only confiscated a small volume of drugs from Bontilao because the suspect already sold the rest. He said the suspect admitted to them that he was scheduled to receive a delivery of illegal drugs yesterday from Barangay Talamban.

Earlier around 6 p.m. that day, two men were arrested after they were caught with illegal drugs by policemen who were conducting a checkpoint at Barangay Pit-os, Cebu City.

Gomelo Villaver, 29, of Barangay Pulangbato; and Philip Aro, 36, of Barangay Pit-os, were arrested after two small packs of suspected shabu were confiscated from them. They are now detained at the Talamban Police Station.

In Barangay Hipodromo, a certain Maurice Omega, 36, was detained after he was confiscated with a small pack of suspected shabu by Mabolo policemen who were conducting a roving patrol.

In Barangay Capitol Site, a 23-year-old man was also arrested at around 11:30 p.m. last Thursday after he was caught with a hand-rolled stick believed to be marijuana from his possession.

Joswa Marinduque of Barangay Kamputhaw was flagged down by the Fuente policemen who were then conducting checkpoint. Marinduque, who was also not able to present a driver’s license, was then detained at the Mabolo Police Station.

Bontilao, Villaver, Aro, Omega and Marinduque will face charges for violating the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002. Another charge for illegal possession of firearms will be filed against Bontilao. — Ma. Fatima R. Secuya/BRP (FREEMAN)