Irvin Estrella is one of 58 drug suspects arrested in Oplan ‘Pokemon’ implemented last Tuesday. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
About 58 drug suspects were arrested and P2.3 million worth of shabu seized by police in simultaneous operations dubbed as “Oplan Pokemon” in Cebu City last Tuesday evening.
Aside from shabu, the police also confiscated 106 gambling machines as well as three illegal firearms.
“This is the first time all police stations and units conducted a joint operation. As a result, we were able to arrest a number of drug suspects and confiscated lots of shabu and illegal gambling machines,” said Senior Supt. Joel Doria, director of the Cebu City Police Office.
At least 200 policemen from all 11 police precincts in Cebu City, operatives of the Special Action Force, the Public Safety Battalion, as well as the intelligence and investigation units in the city were tapped to take part in the operation.
No one resisted arrest. “Maybe, they were surprised by the number of police operatives who were part of the raids,” Doria said.
Though the police arrested a number of persons, Doria expected more.
“I expected our policemen to arrest more drug suspects. But maybe, some drug personalities anticipated what we intended to do. But we are not done yet. I want our policemen to conduct Oplan Pokemon once a week or twice a month,” he said.
Doria said he hopes to eradicate illegal gambling in Cebu City before the Christmas season.
“I understand that our detention facilities are filled beyond capacity. But that is not a reason for us to stop conducting operations and effecting arrest,” he said.
Doria also challenged policemen to coordinate with barangay officials for the issuance of clearances if and when a village is already free from illegal drugs and gambling.
Elsewhere, a suspected drug pusher was shot down while heading south in Cebu by motorcycle-riding assailants in Barangay Bato, Toledo City last Tuesday afternoon.
Salem Sabroso, a 32-year-old resident of Barangay Magdugo, Toledo City, sustained multiple gunshot wounds while riding his motorcycle, said PO2 Joselito Genon of the Toledo City police precinct.
Recovered from the victim’s possession was a loaded 9 mm pistol and P3,500 cash.
Genon said Sabroso was in their watch list and had a pending case at the court.
He eluded arrest in a buy-bust operation last Nov. 5.