Stephen Ando, 34, did not resist arrest shortly after he allegedly sold illegal drugs to an undercover agent inside his residence in Barangay Cogon at around 7 p.m. on Friday. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
The brother of a village chief in Cordova town, Cebu, was arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) for allegedly peddling shabu (methamphetamine).
Stephen Ando, 34, did not resist arrest shortly after he allegedly sold illegal drugs to an undercover agent inside his residence in Barangay Cogon at around 7 p.m. on Friday.
The suspect is the younger brother of Barangay Captain Francisco Ando of Cordova town.
In an interview, Stephen said it was his other brother Ricardo who is into the illegal drugs trade.
“Na-timing lang nga diha sa akoa ang drugs. (It just so happened that the packs of shabu were with me),” he told CDN.
Stephen, the youngest of seven siblings, admitted being part of Ricardo’s illegal drug business.
“Apil ko sa grupo apan wala ko namaligya og drugs. (I am a part of the group, but I do not sell drugs),” he said.
High-value target
But PDEA-7 spokesperson Leia Albiar belied Stephen’s claim, saying the latter was a high-value target because of his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
“We conducted surveillance operations against him for about a month before we hatched a drug bust,” she said.
Albiar said they are conducting an investigation to find out from which drug group Ando got their supply of shabu.
Albiar said Ando could allegedly sell 200 grams of shabu every week in different areas in Cordova.
PDEA-7 Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz said the suspect reportedly got his supply of shabu from a drug personality detained at the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.
He, however, refused to identify the subject pending an investigation conducted by authorities.
Cap. Ando
Ruiz said they will also request Barangay Captain Ando to explain and give further details about the operations of the suspect.
“For sure, he (Barangay Captain Ando) will be investigated too. Let’s see if he has a liability. We’re hoping to get information from him,” he told Cebu Daily News.
Cebu Daily News tried but failed to reach Barangay Captain Ando through the phone yesterday.
The suspect, however, said Barangay Captain Ando did not have any idea about their illegal drug operations.
“Blind man si kapitan ana (Captain is blind about our illegal drug business),” he said.
Stephen said he is willing to face the charges against him.
Charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, particularly for possession and selling of illegal drugs, will be filed against the suspect before the prosecutor’s office tomorrow.
Selling of prohibited drugs is a non-bailable offense.
Packs of shabu recovered from Stephen Ando. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
No Letup
Even if Christmas is fast approaching, Ruiz said PDEA-7 will continue to go after drug personalities in the region.
“There will be no letup in our campaign against illegal drugs. We will do our job 24/7 even if it is Christmas,” he said.
Ruiz advised those involved in illegal drugs to stop their operations or they will soon be arrested.
“Pasko na. 2017 na hapit. Panahon na aron magbag-o mo. (It’s Christmas and 2017 is just around the corner. It’s time for you to change), he said.
“Magbag-ong kinabuhi namo. Ayaw namo anang drogas. O basin adto mo sa prisohan mag-Pasko. (Change your lives. Stay away from drugs or else you might spend your Christmas behind bars),” he added.
Recovered from Ando were 187 sachets of shabu weighing 250 grams valued at P625,000.
Gunned down
Meanwhile, a 24-year-old man was gunned down by still unknown assailants in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City, past 10 p.m. on Friday.
Janno Rayton suffered gunshot wounds on his chest and right arm.
Homicide investigators said the victim was walking along Pedro Calomarde Street when two motorcycle-riding men approached him.
The backrider then got a gun and shot Rayton twice.
The victim was brought by authorities to the Cebu City Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Investigators are conducting a probe to identify the perpetrators and the motive behind the killing.