10 drug pushers, users surrender in Zambo del Sur town

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Fear of the crackdown on illegal drugs continued to sweep across the country as 10 suspected drug pushers and users, including two teachers and two students, voluntarily surrendered Thursday to authorities in Dumingag town, Zamboanga del Sur.

 

Police Superintendent Rogelio Alabata, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO-9), said the suspects initially sent feelers around 7 p.m. Thursday to the barangay chairman of Licabang about their intention to voluntarily surrender and submit themselves for rehabilitation.

 

Alabata said the village official immediately coordinated with Dumingag Police Station commander Chief Inspector Edgar Hinoctan to facilitate the surrender of the illegal drugs suspects.

 

He said it was not known who were the pushers and users among those who surrendered.

 

But the police identified them as Virnie Lascuña, 35, and Rogelio Sarueda Jr., 43, both teachers and residents of Barangay San Pedro; students Jolieto Somolong, 14, and Ronil Managing, 17; farmers Bernie Baut, 27; Elmer Cag-ong, 36; Martchan Ornopia, 31; Jumar Dapanas, 31; and Rico James Quilog.

 

The police disclosed that the suspects surrendered out of fear following the series of killings of people believed to be involved in illegal drugs.

 

Meanwhile, at least 40 people also surrendered to the police to clear themselves from the allegations that they were involved in the illegal proliferation of drugs in Barangay Recodo, this city.