Cebuano singer explains side to police

Cebuano singer Jay-R Siaboc, who was a runner-up in the Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA), went to the Toledo City police precinct, western Cebu, out of fear for his life after rumors spread on social media that he was a drug pusher.

The 29-year-old Siaboc told Supt. Samuel Mina Jr., acting Toledo City police chief, that he also wanted to change his life for the better.

The performer was one of 528 drug suspects who surrendered to the police in Toledo last Tuesday.

About 100 were drug pushers and 428 were drug users including Siaboc, a government employee and two minors aged 17.

Mina said Siaboc was accompanied by his wife Trisha May and his cousin when he went to his office at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

He said he talked to Siaboc who admitted to using drugs with his wife but denied that he was selling the illegal substance.

“He confessed that he’s been using drugs but not a peddler,” Mina said.

Siaboc underwent interrogation in which he told the police that he got his supply from his friends in Barangay Awihao whom he did not name.

Siaboc also signed a waiver and would be monitored by the police.

But Siaboc’s wife Trisha May clarified that he went to the Toledo City Police Office “to clear up his name, not to surrender.”

In her Facebook post, Trisha denied that her husband is using illegal drugs.

“We are not involved in any illegal transaction. We live (decently) and we are raised well by our parents,” she said.

“We would be much happier if the (authorities) will conduct an investigation. You are so welcome. Our life is an open book,” she said. About 200 more drug suspects were being processed at the Barba Sports Complex yesterday since the TCPO could not accommodate a large number of people.

PO2 Joselito Genon of the Toledo police said they recommended that Siaboc undergo drug rehabilitation.

“Like other surrenderees, Jay-R fears for his life and that he wanted to be a changed man. He should undergo rehab,” the policeman said.

Based on the records of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), 25,219 self-confessed drug users and 3,013 drug pushers surrendered to police stations in the region since Oplan TokHang was implemented last July 1.

Tokhang is short for “toktok-hangyo,” a nationwide campaign of the PNP to warn illegal drug peddlers and users that they are going after them if they don’t surrender.

The Bohol Provincial Police Office recorded the most number of drug users and pushers who surrendered, with 14,782, followed by the Cebu Provincial Police Office with 9,157.

Some 2,636 surrendered in Cebu City, 766 in Lapu-Lapu City, and 652 in Mandaue City, and 239 in Siquijor.