5 family members nabbed for drugs

Teacher Ma. Jocelyn Arquillano, her husband Diosdado, the couple’s sons Richard and Dodie and their errand boy Giovani Pautan are in pensive mood after they were arrested in a drug raid in barangay Campo, San Francisco town, Camotes Island. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)

A family of five members was arrested by the police after more than P2 million worth of illegal drugs were seized during a raid on their house in San Francisco town on Camotes Islands in northeastern Cebu past midnight on Tuesday.

The police identified the suspects as Diosdado Arquillano, 54; his wife Ma. Jocelyn, 52; son Richard, 28; daughter Debbie, 23 and son Dodie, 18.

Jocelyn is a public school teacher at the Consuelo National High School in San Francisco although she has been on leave since June last year.

Also arrested were the family househelp, Giovani Pautan and Richard’s live-in partner, a 17-year-old girl.

In an interview, Ma. Jocelyn denied her family is involved in selling illegal drugs.

She said she was packing some clothes since they were about to leave for Leyte to attend a fiesta when policemen arrived.

“I already filed a leave in June last year since I have been suffering from an ailment,” she said.

Supt. Rodolfo Albotra Jr., chief of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) intelligence branch, said Diosdado is facing drug charges but is out on bail.

Albotra said the illegal drugs trade had been the family business of the Arquillanos, prompting the police to conduct an operation against them.

The police raid was conducted on the strength of a search warrant issued by Judge Jerry Dicdican of the Regional Trial Court Branch 25 in Danao City, Cebu.

Seized during the raid were 177 grams of shabu worth more than P2 million, two KG9 submachine guns, a caliber .45 pistol, several magazines and a Toyota Tamaraw FX.

Dr. Rhea Mar Angtud, Cebu Province Division Superintendent, said the alleged involvement of a public school teacher in illegal drugs has saddened her.

“Though we do not know yet what really happened but for me, this should serve as a reminder not just to teachers but to all,” said Angtud.

She said the involvement of some teachers in illegal drug activities was the main reason why she favors random drug testing among teachers.

Angtud said the incident will be investigated further. “We will give her due process. The police report will be the basis of our investigation. The provincial office will do the fact-finding and will endorse it to the regional office for recommendations,” she said.