One dead, 16 fall in drug raids

CEBU, Philippines - More than P1 million worth of suspected shabu was seized while one drug suspect was killed and 16 others were arrested in separate buy-bust operations conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the police in Moalboal and Danao City recently.

In Moalboal two men were arrested while their companion was killed in Barangay Saavedra, Thursday morning. Police said the fatality was Jupiter Amporado, 29, the subject of the operation.

Senior Inspector Jose Rovic Villarin, Moalboal police chief, said Amporado's cohorts, Eugenio Sangilan, 36, and Jayson Amporado, 24, immediately surrendered to operatives after the operation, but Jupiter ran into his house and started shooting the operatives, forcing them to return fire.

Jupiter was hit and rushed to the hospital, but declared dead on arrival.

The operatives confiscated at least 66.6 grams of suspected shabu valued at P785,880 from the suspects and a .38 cal. revolver from Jupiter.

In Danao City, suspected drug pushers Orly Marquez, Ramonito Almagro, Virgillo Calleno, Rachell Ann Casas, Abarty Cortes, and Marwin Gomez, were arrested along with suspected users Crusito Toring, John Niño Dungog, Michael Manzo, and Mark Pasana, during an operation in the barangays of Looc, Tuburan Sur, and Taboc last Friday dawn.

Chief Inspector Gerard Ace Pelare, Danao police chief, said that all the suspects were newly identified drug personalities.

Confiscated from the suspects during the operation were packs of suspected shabu worth P201,190, assorted drug paraphernalia, and cash worth P2,450 believed to be drug money.

Meanwhile, PDEA-7 operatives also seized almost half a million pesos worth of suspected shabu in four separate buy-bust operations in Lapu-Lapu City and Tagbilaran City on Thursday.

PDEA-7 spokeswoman Leia Albiar identified the arrested suspects as Gaspar Mejias, 36, of Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City; Ian  Varona, 25, of Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City; Arnel Nofies, 43, of Cabawan District, Tagbilaran City, Bohol; and Rodel Pacna, 20, of Dampas District, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

During the operation, at least 85.28 grams of suspected shabu valued at P427,800 was seized.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office-7 said they are unfazed by the declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte that the Philippines is a narcotics-infested country.

“The comment of our president is really a challenge, to each and every personnel of PRO-7 to really put a stop on these illegal drugs, being circulated,” said regional director Chief Superintendent Jose Mario Espino.

Espino said part of their strategy will now focus on the demand reduction to stop suppliers and sellers.

He further urged local government agencies to help reduce the demand for illegal drugs by initiating information drives, seminars, and workshops on the ill effects of using shabu.

“Hinihingi natin ang tulong ng mayors, ng local executives, Department of Education, Department of Health, to be one dito sa demand reduction,” Espino said. (FREEMAN)