8 fall for drug possession

CEBU, Philippines -  Eight persons were arrested for possession of illegal drugs during separate anti-drug and preventive patrol operations conducted by the police in Cebu City yesterday.

Law enforcers arrested Ramir Aum alias Baldo, Laurence Michael Clitar, Aldrin Martinez, and Joselito Ricaplaza during a buy-bust operation at 2 a.m. yesterday yielding at least P120, 000 worth of suspected shabu.

The operation was jointly conducted by the elements of Mabolo Police Station, City Intelligence Branch, and City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group.

Police Chief Inspector Christopher Lucas Navida, CIB chief, said Baldo was the subject of the operation.

He had been under surveillance after the police learned of his illegal activities. Baldo was previously convicted for robbery and illegal drugs.

The three other suspects served as Baldo's lookouts during his illegal transactions. Police seized two packs and six small sachets of shabu, one .38 revolver with four live rounds of ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and P4, 120 cash. The drugs weighed 10. 24 grams and was valued at P120, 832.00.

The suspects are now detained at the Mabolo Police Station pending the filing of the criminal complaints against them.

Four other persons were arrested in Barangay Duljo Fatima after they were caught sniffing illegal drugs.

The suspects were identified as Sanny Buling-buling, 23, of Toledo City; Tadeo Labajo, 23, of Punta Princesa in Cebu City; Jonny Pahayahay, 38, of Tungkop, Minglanilla; and Didi Omambac , 34, also of Minglanilla.

The police were on a preventive patrol in Sitio San Pedro in Barangay Duljo- Fatima when they allegedly chanced upon the suspects having drug session at the alley. Police recovered three packs of shabu and drug sniffing paraphernalia. (FREEMAN)