Talisay police 'rescue' alleged shabu runner

CEBU, Philippines – A man, who claims he works as a runner for an alleged drug lord, who also happens to be his uncle, was rescued by policemen last Sunday night from a house in barangay Lawaan I, Talisay City.

Joel Rhey Basay, 22, claimed that he was abducted by his uncle, Marino ‘Inok’ Lawis, 44, and two others in barangay San Isidro, Talisay City last Sunday afternoon.

Basay, a resident of Lutopan, Toledo City, was found by policemen hogtied inside the three-storey house owned by Alvin Cabigas, but rented by Lawis at Seaview Heights.

He was alone when the policemen found him also tied to the bed so he could not move. 

Neighbors, who heard unusual noise coming from the house, alerted the police.

Basay said that Lawis was accompanied by Michael Samson, 18 years old, and a certain Tawiwa, 33. The three reportedly reside at Avocado St., barangay Mambaling, Cebu City.

The responding police team was led by Insp. Paul Vincent Dorado. He was backed up by PO3 Mikie Espina and PO2 Allan Villasurda.

The police said that they saw Basay lying on the bed and both of his hands and feet were tied using a nylon rope and some wire.

The alleged abductors also put packaging tape on Basay’s mouth to keep him from shouting for help.

Basay claimed during an interview over radio station dySS that he was mauled by the suspects and struck using a baseball bat.

He suspects that he has gotten the ire of his uncle for going to Bohol with one of the alleged pushers, who reportedly owes Lawis P30,000 in proceeds from drug sales.

The Talisay policemen, who found Basay, also found drug paraphernalia and blank identification cards of the Theft and Robbery Section of the Cebu City Police Office.

Basay claimed that he was able to shout for help after the suspects left him at the house as he used his saliva to moisten the packaging tape, which allowed him to loosen it a bit.

He alleged that he worked as a house helper for his uncle and among his tasks was to deliver illegal drugs and collect the proceeds from the trade that covered areas in Cebu and Bohol.

Basay claimed that he was in Bohol for a month with the alleged pusher, who owed Lawis money, before heading back to his home in Lutopan. He said that his uncle suspected that he had the money, but did not remit it.

He narrated that last Sunday he went swimming with a friend at the Larawan Beach in Poblacion, Talisay City and walked to San Isidro to catch a ride.

It was while waiting for a ride that Lawis and his group spotted him. He said that his uncle, who had with him a baseball bat, went down from a white Honda Civic bearing plate number GJL-307.

Basay said that Lawis told him to get inside the car as they had to talk and he was brought to the house in Seaview Heights.

Cebu City Police Office director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador said they will check why there was a blank TRS ID found in the house rented by Lawis.

He said that the CCPO does not issue such kind of ID as all operatives only have their organic ID from the Philippine National Police. —/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)