Cops commended for Medellin bust

CEBU, Philippines - Fourth district Provincial Board Member Joven Mondigo Jr. said that the police is up to the challenge against proliferation of illegal drugs as demonstrated in the recent successful buy-bust operation last Sunday in his hometown in Medellin.

Mondigo made the statement as he commended the Cebu Provincial Police Office through its chief, director Patrocinio Comendador, and the operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch.

On Monday’s PB session Mondigo will formally sponsor a resolution commending the CPPO and the PIB for carrying out a successful illegal drug buy-bust operation leading to the arrest of an alleged big-time drug pusher in his town.

Board members Sun Shimura and Jose Ribomapil Holganza Jr. who are also from the fourth district where Medellin belongs are acting as co-sponsors of Mondigo’s proposed resolution. 

“Director Comendador and the concerned operatives of the PIB therefore deserve to be congratulated and commended for their courage, fidelity and dedication to the call of duty and this should serve as an exemplar for others in the service,” Mondigo said.

Mondigo stressed that it cannot be argued that the proliferation of illegal drugs is a social ill, a bane that has caused and continue to cause grievous harm to the society and the well-being of citizens.

“It cannot, therefore, be overly emphasized that engaging in this nefarious trade should be rigorously interdicted and thwarted by our authorities with no let-up and with constant vigilance and readiness to act,” he further said.

The buy-bust operation conducted in Barangay Caputatan, Medellin, resulted in the arrest of suspected drug lord William Mercader who was the subject of the operation.

Mercader is considered a Level 1 drug pusher who can sell at least one kilo of illegal drugs a week.

In the raid on his house, the authorities were able to confiscate several packs of shabu, several high-powered firearms and ammunition, cellular phones and various drug paraphernalia.

One of his bodyguards, a certain Joven Senining, was shot and killed when he reportedly tried to shoot it out with the police.

The reported rampant sale and availability of shabu in the area prompted the police to conduct of the operation.  (FREEMAN)