NBI nabs ex-amateur boxer, 6 others in drug bust

CEBU, Philippines —  A former amateur boxer was among the seven suspects arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas (NBI-CEVRO) during its anti-drug operation in Sitio Univille, Kasambagan, Cebu City last Friday.

He was identified as Junrey “Jobax” Baguio who was caught selling illegal drugs by the operatives of NBI-7.

Baguio is the brother-in-law of Rogelio “Tulan” Sabellano, the subject of the operation.

Both are allegedly managing the drug den inside Sabellano’s room in Kasambagan.

Also arrested were George Encontro, Jude Loue Ulgasan, Noel Fernandez, Alvin Veloso and Kim Sembrano from Kasambagan and Banilad who were caught in the process of doing their “drug session.”

Operatives of NBI-7 were able to recover from Sabellano an unlicensed .38 caliber firearm with live ammunition.

The agents also confiscated the illegal drugs about to use by the suspects and other drug paraphernalia like tooter and foil.

NBI-7 Director Rennan Augustus Oliva said they conducted two weeks surveillance after an informant told their office about the illegal activity in the area which has been there for two years.

“Ang impormasyon gikan sad sa molupyo didto sa lugar sa Kasambagan, neighbor ra nila. Naalarma na sa activity nila so nisumbong,” Oliva said.

Sabellano is facing charges for violation of Section 6, 11, and 15 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, for maintaining a drug den, possession of illegal drugs and using illegal drugs under. He is facing complaint for violation of RA 1059 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act.

Baguio is charged of selling and using illegal drugs under RA 9165 while the five others are facing charges for using illegal drugs.

Oliva urged the public especially the barangay officials to inform immediately their office or even to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police of any illegal drug activities in their area.

“We encourage the public kun nay activity sa inyong lugar, tan-aw ninyo drug den or nay drug activity you inform our office. We will treat your information as confidential, among i-verify inyong operation. If found to be true, operate-tan gyud ta na,” Oliva said.

He added that using illegal drugs may branch out to other crimes like theft in order for the suspects to maintain their habit.

Oliva said the recent drug den they discovered in Kasambagan is the fifth drug den they uncovered this year.

He furthered their operation is also a way to help the government in implementing the health protocols in this time of pandemic, as based on their drug operation, suspect obviously are not following health protocols.

“Walay mask, walay face shield, walay social distancing, gapasa-pasa sa tooter so peligro kaayo, so when they go home they bring the virus to their families, peligro kaayo,” Oliva said. — GMR (FREEMAN)