Drug surrenderers join anti-drugs run

CEBU, Philippines - Not all guns are aimed at eluding law offenders. Yesterday, the sound of a gunshot signaled the start of a run attended by people who used to defy law.

 Around 200 drug surrenderers took part in the color fun run that kicked off the observance of Drug Awareness and Prevention Week.

 The week-long observance is facilitated by the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office or CPADAO.

 Ivy Durano-Meca, head of the Cebu Provincial Office Anti-Drug Abuse Office, said they reached their target number of participants for the run.

"More or less two hundred surrenders and almost two hundred youth representatives from the whole province of Cebu and the rests are PNP personnel and government employees," she said.

 Police Chief Inspector Jaime Quiocho Jr. won the male category followed by James Casinillo in second place and Shawn Patrick Casinillo in third place.

In the female category, PO2 Marivic Mari placed first while Genevive Pantollano and Araceli Namoc placed second and third, respectively.

Among the activities for the rest of the week include the drug-free Cebu Summit and plenary sessions on November 22, "Sukod" program awarding ceremonies on November 23, launch of the province-wide "Barkada Kontra Droga" movement caravan on November 24, and training for community based treatment program from November 24 to 26.

Bust

As anti-drugs activities kicked off in Cebu City, a drug suspect who allegedly shot it out with policemen was killed in a buy bust operation in Cordova town dawn yesterday.

Senior Inspector Jomar Medil said the suspect, Marlon Miano, 32, allegedly resisted arrest and fired the first shot. The cops retaliated and hit Miano.

Seized from Miano were 29 small sachets and a medium pack of shabu estimated to worth around P69,850 and a .45 caliber pistol with two live bullets.

In an operation in Lapu-Lapu City several hours after, police arrested Ronnie Gesulga, 46, and Arnulf Tuadles, 37, in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

Chief Inspector Mark Sucalit of the City Intelligence Branch said Tuadles is a surrenderer. Seized from him were 14 sachets of shabu.

Meanwhile, they confiscated a small sachet and a medium pack of shabu, a canister, and the P800 cash from Gesulga. — (FREEMAN)