SK councilor nabbed for marijuana

CEBU, Philippines — Eighteen persons, including a newly elected Sangguniang Kabataan councilor, were arrested and more than P1 million worth of shabu and marijuana were seized in separate police operations in Metro Cebu.

Jesjoma Nomar Guevarra Aranas, 20, an SK first councilor in Zone 13, of Baybay City, Leyte was arrested at a checkpoint at the North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City at around 11 p.m. Saturday.

He was allegedly caught having in his possession P5,000 worth of dried marijuana leaves, stalks and seeds when policemen from Centro Police Station 1 of Mandaue City Police Office checked his bag at a checkpoint on Zuellig Avenue.

Chief Inspector Aldrin Villacampa of Centro Police Station 1 said Aranas stored the marijuana stalks, dried leaves, and some seeds inside his black backpack.

Aranas is a son of a police officer assigned in Hilongos town while his mother is a teacher.

He did not resist arrest after policemen flagged down his motorcycle for inspection.

Senior Superintendent Roberto Alanas, MCPO director, said they received information that the suspect is one of the high- value targets in Baybay City.

Villacampa said Aranas revealed to them that he got his marijuana supply from Cebu City.

Aranas was about to go back to Baybay City though a motorized pump boat docked at Ouano Wharf.

In a separate interview, Aranas admitted that he owns the illegal items but he refused to reveal where in Cebu City he got the marijuana.

Aranas is detained in the holding cell of Centro Police Station.

Buy-Bust Operation

In another operation, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) - 7 and Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) arrested a father and his son in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City and seized P374,000 worth of illegal drugs.

The suspects were identified as Demosthenis Bayonas, 47, and Mark Anthony Bayonas, 24.

Mark, who was the target of the operation, allegedly had in his possession seven packs of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P374, 000.

PDEA-7 spokesperson Leia Albiar said the suspects were named by one of their arrested drug personalities in a previous operation.

Meanwhile, PIB operatives arrested 10 alleged drug personalities in Barangay Tangke, Talisay City.

They are Junrey Nacua, Raul Saballones Surigao, Josteniano  Gabiola Surigao, Brian Gagarin Hoyohoy, Dante Lumapay Estrada, Niel Bryan Orot Baguio, Johnrap Cabalan Basar, Wilson Cabardo Layaog, Gabbe Mabala Macaraya, and a certain Ivy.

Police Superintendent Virgilio Bayon-on, Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) director, said that they received several complaints about the rampant illegal drug activities in the area.

PIB verified the reports and conducted an operation.

Seized from the suspects were 121 small packs and three large packs of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P748, 120.

Also seized was a .38 caliber pistol with ammunition.

In the City of Naga, two newly identified drug personalities were arrested early morning yesterday during a checkpoint in Barangay Inoburan.

The suspects were identified as Jay Boy Manos Caballes, 18, and Anthony Superales, 19, both residents of Barangay Mangyan, Sibonga.

The police confiscated six sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P3,540.

In Cebu City, more than P70,000 worth of illegal drugs were seized from three suspects during a police operation in Sto. Niño III, Barangay Luz yesterday.

According to Insp. Samson Go, who led the operation, they received a report from a concerned citizen about the illegal activities in the area.

The suspects identified as Chistopher Silva, 43, Danny Paez, 34, and Marino Amorado, 40, were reportedly about to have a sniffing session inside when the police arrived and arrested them.

Operatives seized four small packs and two medium packs of suspected shabu worth P70,092 as well as  assorted drug paraphernalia from the suspects. — Patricia Faith T. Santillan and Chelsey Gaile B. Lapingcao (FREEMAN)