4 nabbed sniffing drugs near Calamba Cemetery

CEBU, Philippines - Amid the heightened security status in cemeteries in line with the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, four people were arrested yesterday after they were allegedly caught sniffing shabu near Calamba Cemetery in Cebu City.

Police identified the suspects as Edwin Seno, Danilo Glodove, Pacquito Sisiban and Oliver Patalinghug.

Personnel from the City Intelligence Branch and San Nicolas Police Station were conducting saturation drive when a concerned citizen informed them of an ongoing illegal activity near the cemetery.

Senior Superintendent Joel Doria, Cebu City Police Office director, said that CIB operatives already noticed a group of suspicious young people in the area during surveillance operation two days ago.

He said the police returned yesterday and chanced upon the four suspects sniffing illegal drugs. Seized from them were several drug sniffing paraphernalia.

The suspects are now detained at San Nicolas Police Station pending the filing of criminal complaints against them for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), particularly possession of drug paraphernalia.

Doria said the police will remain in full alert status until today. He said yesterday's observation of All Saints' Day was generally peaceful. Police, however, confiscated prohibited items inside the cemetery such as sharp objects.

Meanwhile, another man who is out on bail for illegal drug charges was arrested Monday evening during a buy-bust operation in Sitio Cacao, Barangay Kinasang-an. The suspect was identified as Billy Joel Rago, 26, resident of the place.

The operation came after the police received information about Rago’s continued illegal drug trade.

Confiscated from his possession were five small sachets of suspected shabu, including the one handed to the police during the transaction. The seized drugs weighed 10 grams with an estimated value of P2, 000. Mae Clydyl Avila (FREEMAN)