Over 300 nabbed for drugs, gambling in one week

CEBU, Philippines —  The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas has seized a total of P5.1 million worth of shabu and arrested 142 drug personalities in just a week of buy-bust operations.

Based on their weekly report, a total of 751.19 grams of shabu were seized amounting to P5,108,092 in 101 operations conducted from February 1 to February 7, 2021 which resulted also in the arrest of at least 142 individuals and confiscation of one firearm.

Data showed that the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU-7) topped the biggest haul for the week seizing 359.10 grams of shabu amounting to P2.4 million.

The unit also arrested six suspects in their three buy-bust operations.

It was followed by the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) with 277.91 grams of shabu worth P1.9 million and arrested 40 individuals in its 27 operations.

Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) also seized a total of 41.21 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P280, 228 and confiscated one firearm from the 13 arrested suspects in its 11 operations.

PRO-7 also reported a total of 32 firearms which have been seized, recovered, and surrendered from the 10 arrested suspects including four most wanted persons for the past weeks.

Meanwhile, a total of 202 suspects were nabbed for illegal gambling and seized P18,786 cash in the said period.

In Minglanilla town in southern Cebu, at least 10 individuals were nabbed for illegal cockfighting commonly known as “tigbakay” in two separate operations on Sunday afternoon.

Elements of Minglanilla Police Station led by Police Major William Homoc arrested four individuals including a government program beneficiary at Sitio Tagaytay in Barangay Vito.

The suspects were identified as Jessie Artajo, 37, who was a Social Amelioration Program (SAP) beneficiary, Roque Villeta, 36; Fredson Sopsop, 23, and Jay-R Dejan, 27, all of whom are residents in the said barangay.

The evidence recovered from the suspects includes three fighting cocks with one gaff and P100 cash believed to be their bets.

Two hours later, another six individuals were nabbed for the same activity at Sitio Cantibhang in Barangay Pakigne.

They were identified as Regino Lucenario, 49; Charlane Atillo, 37; Anesio Figuracion, 47, all of whom are residents of Cebu City, while Joseph Mendoza, 55; Gerald Basalo, 34, and Elpedio Barcoma, 51, are from Minglanilla.

The arresting officers have recovered two fighting cocks with one gaff and P1,120 cash.

Homoc said there were more individuals who engaged in the two separate illegal gambling activities who have eluded the arrest after learning of the presence of the policemen.

The suspects are currently detained at the custodial facility of the station.

They will be facing charges for violation of Presidential Decree 449 also known as Cockfighting Law of 1974.

Homoc further said they will go after those who engage in illegal gambling amid the COVID-19 pandemic citing that there are still individuals who take part despite the prohibition of illegal cockfighting in the town.— GMR (FREEMAN)