Talisay residents ask Eddiegul for advice after PDEA arrest relatives

CEBU, Philippines - Around 100 residents from Sitio Rattan, Barangay Tangke, Talisay City went to the office of City Mayor Eduardo Gullas yesterday to ask for advice after some suspects whom they believe to be innocent were arrested during the buy-bust operation conducted by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 7 (PDEA-7) in the said barangay last November 15.

It was reported that three drug users and 22 drug pushers were arrested during the said operation.

The families of some of the suspects and along with the other residents of the said barangay sought help from Barangay Captain Perla Cabañes to clear the names of those innocent.

Dennes Reyes, who has two nephews included among those arrested, said that he was disappointed about the outcome of the operation and at the same time worries for the other members of his family.

He added that they first went to the barangay hall and after hearing the advice of their barangay captain, they immediately went to the city hall in the hope that Gullas would also listen to their claims.

Cabañes accompanied her constituents to seek audience with the mayor in city hall.

She said that their barangay is always supportive to any operations conducted by police in their area and that this is the first time that residents gathered and expressed their disagreement after they said that some of those arrested were allegedly innocent.

Residents are scared that, at any moment, they would be included in the arrest even if they are not involved in any illegal drug trade, since police were conducting continuous operations and police rounds in their barangay.

A group playing basketball when the November 15 buy-bust happened, allegedly claimed that the operatives fired off  six warning shots.

“Na-trauma pa gani ko kay kuyawan kaayo ko ti-unan mi unya gipabuthan gyud,” a16-year-old boy recalls the incident.

Jomar Rubio, Talisay Executive Assistant explained that Mayor Gullas was unable to meet with them since he had an important meeting scheduled.

Rubio clarifies that Gullas does not want to be involved in the said controversy.

He then advised that complainants should personally talk with PDEA-7 and explain their side.

“Una gyud nga advise is mangita sila ug abogado. Ikaduha, personally mu-appear gyud sila sa PDEA to convince them nga naa sila’y mga nadakpan nga inosente,” Rubio said.

Residents also requested that there should be police presence in the said barangay to prevent drug pushers from selling illegal drugs in the area.

This suggestion is being considered by Talisay Chief of Police Supt. Emerson Dante and the station is  currently planning the best way to do this. (FREEMAN)