Bet arrested in drug den

CEBU, Philippines - A candidate who ran for vice mayor of Tuburan town in the last election but lost was among those arrested by operatives of City Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operation Task Group Wednesday afternoon in Barangay Sambag 1, Cebu City.

However, Alex Montecillo, 30, said he was just in the area visiting a friend when the house was raided by the CAIDSOTG around 5:30 p.m.

Led by Senior Inspector Eunil Avergonzado, the operatives conducted a buy-bust operation after they were able to verify the report that two men with aliases “Atching” and “Bayani” were selling drugs in the area. 

Atching was later revealed to be Archie Roma, while Bayani was unmasked as Bayani Alcomendras.

Avergonzado said aside from Roma, Alcomendras and Montecillo, 11 others were arrested in the crime scene during the operation. They were identified as Jeramel Sanchez, 34; Wilfredo Marco, 47; Sherwin Gonzales, 38; Jerry Dean, 54; Vince Quijano; Jessie Alcos, 28; Briam Brigoli, 28; Josephine Tabotabo, 37; Melvin Ababon, 28; Pejay Managaytay, 28; and Mark Vergara, 24.

The operatives were able to seize drugs and drug paraphernalia from the suspects and a homemade .38 cal. revolver with four live rounds from Alcomendras.

The CAIDSOTG recovered drug paraphernalia from the possession of Montecillo who denied using illegal drugs.

“It’s by chance,” he said about his arrest. He added he was in the area visiting a friend when the operation happened.

The CAIDSOTG seized P150,000 worth of shabu in the said operation. — (FREEMAN)