P1M drugs seized in Labangon

CEBU, Philippines — At least P1M worth of illegal drugs was confiscated in a buybust operation in Sitio Lapay, Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City last Wednesday.

The Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) of Mambaling Police Station led by Chief Insp. Randy Tedio Caballes arrested Arnel Adorable, 50, a resident of Tres de Abril St., Barangay Labangon, Cebu City.

Caballes said that they received information about the illegal operations of Adorable several weeks ago.

Their team then conducted surveillance and a series of validation against the suspect.

"Last night, ato na confirm, then nag conduct ta og buy-bust operation," said Caballes.

He added that the suspect was in a pension house and during the operation, he was about to repack the illegal drugs.

Caballes said that Adorable sold drugs in Labangon, A. Lopez, Tisa, and Mambaling.

Seized from the suspect were one large pack, three medium packs, and one small pack of shabu weighing 157 grams and estimated to worth P1,067,600.

Also seized were P6,000 cash believed to be proceeds of the suspect's illegal operation and P2,000 buy bust money.

Adorable admitted that the illegal drugs were seized from his possession but he did not disclose any information about the source.

No Progress

Meanwhile, there is no progress yet on the investigation of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR-7) on the death of three alleged drug suspects in Talisay City during police operations.

But this does not mean the office intends to dismiss the case, the chief investigator said.

Leo Villarino, head of the Investigation Division of CHR-7, said the family members refused to cooperate with the team created to probe the case.

"Naglisod ta og kuha sa cooperation sa pamilya tungod kay hesitant gyud sila," he told The FREEMAN.

He further said the case was docketed through a moto propio investigation, meaning the CHR7 initiated on its own to look into the case due to its significance.

Therefore, he said the commission could not force the family to speak up or insist for them to provide a testimony or affidavit as they have free will whether to cooperate or not.

"Well, unless if sila gyud mismo mo-file og complaint diri sa atong office... but that will not immediately cause nga dili mopadayon sa atong investigation. If moingon ta nga dili imbestigaron tungod kay ni-refuse sila, that would also be unfair," he explained.

He is still hopeful that the relatives will change their mind.

"Initially naay refusal, hesitant and mahadlok sila but based sa atong experiences, motimaw ra na sila o mopakita sila og interes. Posible adunay developments nga makapa-encourage nila nga mo-cooperate nato. Adunay panghitabo ana," said Villarino.

He said the doors of CHR 7 office will always be open for them but not for a very long time.

"Atong huwaton total dili man na sa ingon nga dalion nato. Open gihapon ta, basta atong gipakita nga we are here to help them. You can come to our office. You can knock at our doors anytime you want," he said. "We can wait for them but not forever." — Marjory Enriquez (FREEMAN)