“Tokhang” surrenderer falls in drug buy-bust

CEBU, Philippines - An "Oplan Tokhang" surrenderer was arrested Friday evening in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City for selling illegal drugs to an undercover policeman from Station 2 or Fuente Police Station.

The suspect was identified as Joshua Mata Marinduque, 24, resident of Juana Osmeña Extension, Purok 8, of the barangay.

Police Officer 3 Cliffton Manugura, desk officer of Fuente Police Station, said the suspect was subjected to buy-bust operation after he continued selling drugs despite his signing an undertaking to stop his illegal activity.

Manugura said Marinduque surrendered earlier to the police station and promised to stop his illegal business.

The police seized se-veral packs of shabu in his possession including the P200 buy-bust money.

He is now detained at the Station 2 pending the filing of the criminal complaint before the prosecutor's office.

Meanwhile, four people were arrested for illegal gambling and possession of drug paraphernalia in Barangay Kamagayan, Cebu City.

Operatives of the Parian Police Station led by its station commander, Senior Inspector Dexter Basirgo, were conducting "Oplan Tokhang" in the barangay when they chanced upon the suspects betting on a card game locally known as "piyat-piyat."

The suspects were identified as Churchill Lapingcao, 35, of Barangay Apas; Wilfredo Tabalin, 30, of Barangay Basak, San Nicolas; Adsel Sabala, 23, of Barangay Sambag 1; and Jieferson Oga-o, 24, of Sitio San Roque, Barangay Mambaling.

The police also recovered drug paraphernalia from their possession. They will be charged for violation of the Presidential Decree 1602 or illegal gambling and possession of drug paraphernalia.  (FREEMAN)