3 siblings, Ma, 42 others fall

CEBU, Philippines —  In just a span of four hours, about P5 million worth of shabu was recovered from 46 alleged drug suspects and high-value targets, including three siblings and the mother of a notorious family, in an operation dubbed as Oplan Limpyo Talisay yesterday morning.

According to Police Major Gerard Ace Pelare, chief of Talisay City Police Station, the operations were held simultaneously in different barangays of the city.

Among the targets of the police was the Obrero family, which is said to be the biggest supplier of drugs in the city.

The first arrest was recorded at 3:02 a.m. in Sitio Sambagan, Barangay Tanke, wherein a certain Jemely Obrero, an alleged HVT, and his companion were nabbed and yielded illegal drugs worth about P70,000.

At around 5 a.m., police also arrested another HVT, Ryan Paul Soriano, and three other suspects and a minor in Sitio Nonoc, Barangay Tabunok.

Shabu worth P646,000 more or less was also retrieved from their possession.

At 5:20 a.m., another HVT identified as Niño Bacacao Dejacto, from Sitio Sambagan, Barangay Tanke, was also arrested with drugs worth P36,448.

After 10 minutes, police swooped down on HVT Argie  Vinculado, a resident of Sitio Sambagan, Tanke, who yielded with shabu valued at P72,080.

A certain James Pogoy Labajao alias “Sadam,” also an HVT, and his three companions were also picked up by the police and yielded P36,856.

Also arrested in the simultaneous operations was Heartinie Padigos Obrero, also an HVT, and her three companions in Sitio Sawsawan, Barangay San Roque.

Drugs taken from them were valued at P37,740.

Another HVT arrested was Amalia Padigos Obrero and eight companions in Sitio Nonoc, Tabunok. Drugs worth P376,652 were recovered from their possession.

At 5:45 a.m., police arrested yet another HVT identified as Marlo Cabando Gabisay in Sitio Sambagan, Tanke with P37,246 worth of shabu.

Jhanela Reyes Gonzales, also an HVT, was also nabbed in the same sitio with drugs worth P36,224.

A certain Maria Ailyn Cabardo Labajo, HVT, and her four companions also fell into the hands of authorities in Sitio Sawsawan, Barangay San Roque. They allegedly yielded P37,060 worth of illegal drugs.

An hour later, HVT Christian Paul Abejo and his three companions were also arrested in the same sitio with P6,120 worth of illegal drugs.

This was followed by the arrest of Junel Moron Austria, HVT, at about 7:02 a.m. in Sitio Sambagan, Tanke, who yielded a bigger drug stash of P4,046,000.

A certain Japet Abapo and his three companions were also nabbed in Sitio Sawsawan, Brgy. San Roque with P5,100 in drugs.

All in all, police arrested 46 personalities in just a span of about four hours.

The total drug haul weighed 800.53 grams with equivalent value of P5,443,604.

Pelare said they arrested three Obrero siblings, as well as their mother.

Pelare expressed confidence that the supply of illegal drugs in the city may now dwindle because of the arrest of the Obreros. However, he said it is possible that new players may also sprout to replace the arrested personalities.

Colonel Roderick Mariano, director of Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), and Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. dropped by during the operations.

Gullas earlier assured his 100 percent support to the police in the campaign to eradicate the drug menace.  JMD (FREEMAN)