Freelance photographer arrested for selling kush, ecstasy

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is now closely monitoring the reemergence of ecstasy as its demand may rise following the reopening of establishments that serve liquors in the city.

This is also after the Parian Police Station has arrested a freelance photographer for selling kush and ecstasy during their Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operation (SACLEO) on June 26.

Police identified the suspect as certain Roland Joseph Ybañez, 28, a resident of General Maxilom Avenue, Barangay Zapatera, Cebu City. Ybañez was arrested Saturday dawn.

Recovered from him were seven grams of marijuana with estimated value of P10,500 and seven pieces of blue colored tablets believed to be ecstasy with estimated value of P17,500.

Police Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, CCPO deputy city director for operations, said the arrest of Ybañez was made following a report from as an asset.

"Dugay-dugay na nila nabal-an that's why nag-conduct pud sa og operation, the case has been already filed, with the background, it has been noted nga involved ni sya sa drug peddling and then medyo ni upgrade," said Parilla.

According to Parilla, the ecstasy is not easy to avail of and transport to wherein those who can purchase are those who only can afford it.

"And then precisely, diri sad ni sila sa mga bars and hotels and ilang transaction, because ang mogamit aning ecstacy is kato raman pung naay mga gimik-gimik," he added.

Parilla further said that they had a difficulty in monitoring the ecstasy since those who sell these do not just offer from anybody but their acquaintances unlike shabu. Ecstasy also draws limited customers.

With the arrest of Ybañez, the police are now tracing where its supply might come from.

"With this no nga naghinay-hinay nag open ang mga imnanan posible nga mobalik na sad ang ecstasy kay ang ecstacy not the same with shabu nga sa mga kanto-kanto ra mabaligya but usually ang market jud sa ecstacy kay mga bars," said Parilla.

During also the SACLEO the CCPO was able to conduct a total of 26 operations against all forms of criminality. — GMR (FREEMAN)