Drug charges were filed in court against the two men who surrendered to the police to clear their names following a botched raid where two policemen were killed in barangay Tomoroy, Moalboal town, southern Cebu last Friday night.
Ezra-el Ocariza, a 28-year-old mall employee, was charged for “visiting a drug den,” while Eric Lendio is facing charges for possession of illegal drugs.
The two men surrendered on Sunday to deny that they had a hand in the deaths of PO3 Fabio Fernandez and PO1 Alrasid Jimlani.
Ocariza, however, admitted he was in the shanty to buy shabu. Lendio was caught using shabu in the shanty owned by Michael Aquino, who eluded arrest.
PO3 Fernandez and PO1 Jimlani were shot by motorcycle-riding assailants while they were conducting an inventory of packs of suspected shabu seized from the shanty.
Chief Supt. Prudencio Bañas reiterated that the operation was legitimate.
“The station commander made that statement telling us that it was a legitimate operation. And you cannot make a statement like that without something in your hand,” said Bañas.
Bañas said he will check the alleged claims of Provincial Board Member Christopher Baricuatro that no raid was conducted when the two policemen were shot.
“I have to confirm that.. I am still asking for the official report to be facilitated to we can make an official statement,” he said.