PIB seizes P15M drugs in 2 weeks

11 police stations lack anti-drug ops

CEBU, Philippines - In a span of two weeks, close to P15 million worth of shabu was confiscated by the Provincial Intelligence Branch.

However, 11 police stations in the province have reportedly failed to conduct anti-illegal drug operations and have been asked to explain their failure.

Senior Superintendent Clifford Gairanod, director of the Cebu Police Provincial Office, said since he issued an order to conduct the Oplan Limpyo Probinsya, at least 11 police stations have failed to execute the directive.

These are the police stations of Alcantara, Barili, Carmen, Compostela, Oslob, Pilar, Ronda, Samboan, Tabuelan, Tudela and Toledo.

But out of the 11, Pilar might be absolved of its liabilities since, based on intelligence reports, there are no big time drug players in the town and only street peddlers exist.

“Gi-kuan namo ang Pilar walay druglord manggamitay lang, okas-yon lang kung naay pista,” Gairanod said.

Gairanod then said that the remaining 10 police station commanders should have an excusable reason why they were not able to conduct operations or else will suffer administrative sanctions.

“Dili na ko mag-reprimand, kay dili na man ni bag-o, fourth limpyo probinsya na man ni. Ang penalty could be transfer from their comfort zone ang north sa south and south sa north, kung palpak gihapon suspenso,” he said.

He warned police station chiefs not to be complacent because even with the Commission on Election ban, prohibiting transfers of officers during the election period, they could still be transferred to another town.

“Basin motoo sila nga under ta sa Comelec, basin magsalig sila nga dili ma-transfer. Kung mo-approve sa comelec mabalhin sila, nag-estorya na mi ni Atty. Castillano (Cebu Provincila COMELEC supervisor) ana,” he added.

Meanwhile, while the 11 stations failed to produce the intended number of anti-illegal drug operations, the Provincial Intelligence Branch was able to confiscate almost 15 million worth of suspected shabu.

In its latest operation, PIB operatives arrested a suspected drug pusher in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Bulacao, Talisay City, and confiscated more than P1 million worth of suspected shabu.

Quintino Tagpuno Jr., 53, was arrested after he allegedly sold a pack of suspected shabu to a poseur-buyer worth P500.

The police confiscated two large packs, three medium packs and 96 small packs of suspected shabu, including the subject of the buy-bust, all valued at P1,003,000; drug paraphernalia; and the P500 buy-bust money.

In an interview with Tagpuno, he said that he just started selling drugs but denied owning the confiscated shabu.

He said that he will answer all the allegations in court in the proper time. He was previously arrested in Asturias town for the same offense.

Illegal numbers: Son of barangay captain arrested

At least five persons including the son of a Cebu City barangay captain, were arrested by the police in a buy-bust operation for illegal numbers game past 4 p.m. at Magsaysay Street, Barangay Suba, Cebu City.

Nickson Sable, 45; Allan Tagsip, 42; Ricky Tagsip, 46; Allan Mesias, 22; and Jomel Sable, son of Suba Barangay Captain Joel Sable Jr., were caught selling illegal numbers along the road.

Chief Inspector Chuck Barandog, San Nicolas Police Station chief, said that when they received the report of rampant selling of illegal numbers along Magsaysay Street, they responded to it immediately.

The operatives saw the men, except Sable, on the road, and followed them. When they reached a house where people were seen remitting proceeds while some were tallying the illegal numbers, the police arrested the men, including Sable, who was in the house.

Jomel Sable declined to answer the allegation when asked for his comment right after his arrest. — Bryner L. Diaz, Decemay P. Padilla of BANAT NEWS and Reinhard Julius O. Buhia /ATO