9 arrests in Talisay, Cebu, Mandaue

Nine persons including a woman suspected of dealing drugs were arrested in Cebu, Talisay and Lapu-Lapu cities in separate operations on Thursday.

This brought in more than P5 million worth of illegal drugs seized by police in the past three days in Metro Cebu.
In barangay Tangke, Talisay City, a suspected drug den was raided on the strength of a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Gilbert Moises.

Several packs of shabu were seized from the house of Rhoda Obrero, one of four people arrested.
The others were Mesael Orapa, Albert Calapas, and Jobino Banzon.

Confiscated were seven big packs, five medium packs and 26 small packs of illegal drugs and drug sniffing paraphernalia along with two video carrera machines.

Supt. Rodolfo Albotra Jr., PIB chief, said that Obrero’s name is in the police list of suspected big-time drug pushers in Talisay City.

Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. delos Reyes commended the police and challenged Talisay Police Chief Reycel Carmelo Dayon to keep up the pace.

Tangke barangay captain Perla Cabanes earlier said she could identify around 10 drug peddlers in her area.

The raid was conducted by the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB), Regional Anti Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Force, and Regional Special Operation Group.

In Cebu City, police arrested four men in sitio Mahayahay, barangay Calambaon on suspicion of drug peddling.

They were identified as Arcadio Abejo Lubay, 46; Morena Tejana, 29; Epol Bakil, 29; Mark Neil Gabutan, 18; and Adrian Posadas, 18.

Lubay had two revolvers while the rest had ampules of Nubain and syringes.

Senior Inspector Chuck Barandog, chief of the Sawang Calero Police Station, said that illegal drug activities is rampant in sitio Mahayahay in Calamba.

Children aged eight to 12 years old are reportedly being used as runners in drug sales because they are spared from criminal liability under the Juvenile Justice Law.

“We’ve long been receiving reports about this but we are still monitoring this,” said Chief Romeo Santander, CIB chief.

Santander said he received information that the boys’ parents are also involved in the illegal drug trade.

In barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, a large pack and 365 small packs of white crystalline substance believed to be shabu were seized by the police from Hermi Malingin, 47, a sculptor from Camotes Island who lives in sitio Soong 1.

A warrant was served on Malingin in his house at 11 p.m. Thursday.

Senior Insp. Rogelio Pineda, chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Intelligence Branch, said Malingin had been under surveillance for several weeks before police did a test buy.

Judge Toribio Quiwag of RTC Branch 27 issued the warrant.

Aside from the illegal drugs, police confiscated a KG-9 submachine gun with a magazine, a rifle grenade, shabu paraphernalia and P2,000 cash believed to be drug sale proceeds.

Malingin denied ownership of the contraband.

He said the items were planted on him by the police.

Earlier, close to P2 million worth of illegal drugs were seized by the police in two barangays in Cebu City, and an estimated P2.5 million worth of shabu were also confiscated in Mandaue City.