After operation yields no arrests: Cops to probe raid’s ‘snitch’

CEBU, Philippines – After a police operation yielded P4 million in drugs but no suspects, the Police Regional Office-7 is now mulling investigating reports of a possible leakage of information that led to the not so successful operation against alleged bigtime drug lord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz and his relatives in Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City, Sunday dawn.

PRO-7 director Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas said even though the policemen were able to seize at least P4 million in suspected shabu and other evidence after storming the Diaz compound, it was still not the desired outcome.

The raiding team was disappointed during the operation after it saw the compound was already abandoned by the subjects they had hoped to arrest.

Bañas said they will investigate all the personnel involved in the planning of the operation starting from the application of the search warrant to the implementation of the operation.

He said they are also considering the possibility that someone from the operating team tipped the subjects off about the planned operation and allowed them to escape.

“Malalamin din iyan in due time kung sino ang nagbigay ng impormasyon. Hayaan niyo, darating rin ang araw, makukuha rin iyan,” Bañas said.

Bañas also said he wants to clarify to the public that no drug personality was holding influence over them and that even the most notorious criminal can be put behind bars.

“Gusto ko lang ipaabot sa inyo na walang may hawak na drug lord sa amin. And I can say that in front of all of you,” he said.

He added even when the operation did not yield their desired outcome, the police force in the Central Visayas will still continue in their campaign against illegal drugs.

“But even then, gusto ko iparating sa kababayan sa Region 7 na for as long as I am here, we will not be deterred by these not-so-successful operations that we have conducted,” said Bañas.

Disappointed

City Office on Substance Abuse Prevention head Dr. Alice Utlang expressed dismay after learning that none from the identified targets were arrested.

Utlang believes someone from the police team leaked information to the targets. She also condemned the barangay officials and residents who did not cooperate in stopping the illegal activity in their area.

“Wala gyu’y seryosong gihimo sa problema sa ilegal nga drugas tungod kay sila mismo nakabenipisyo sa kuwarta gikan sa demonyo,” she said.

Utlang challenged the barangay officials and police authorities to take serious action in putting an end to the illegal drug trade in the barangay.

“Sa mga opisyales sa barangay, ipakita nga wala mo nakabenepisyo ug wala mo nagdawatan ug ngadto usab sa mga law enforcers ug sa tanang nalambigit sa operasyon,” she said.

“Hangtod ang mga tawo sa Barangay Duljo-Fatima dili mobarog sa kamatuoran ug dili mobalik sa sabakan sa Ginoo, magpabilin gihapon nga gamhanan sila sa mga sakop sa yawan-on nga binuhatan,” she added.

Despite how the operation went down Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama commended the policemen behind the operation for confiscating P4 million in suspected shabu.

“I would like to commend [the police on their effort] that saves our hopes (in capturing these) drug lord personalities,” said Rama in a teleconference yesterday.

Rama flew to Aklan province in Western Visayas yesterday on official business. When he returns in the city, Rama said he wants to communicate with Bañas to congratulate Senior Superintendent Marciano Batiancela Jr., Cebu City Police Office acting chief; and Superintendent Romeo Santander, CCPO’s City Intelligence Branch chief.

“I commend the planning and I commend their involvement because they were able to seize millions of drugs and even paraphernalia, guns and ammunitions,” he said.

Rama added he plans to talk with the concerned police officials for the city government to provide support for their needs and enhancing the planning strategies of the police.

Even if police conduct continuous raids and confiscate million worth of illegal drugs or firearms, Rama said tracking down the top target should be the priority.

“Most of all what people want is not just all these drug accessories but we must go and look for the head because they are the ones who brought all this. We will not reduce our energy coming after the head. That has been my marching order,” he said, adding that this directive should be a greater challenge to the police.

Rama also called on the public to inform the police of any illegal drug activity in their areas.

“I would like to bring the attention of the community that illegal drugs is a very substantial issue and likewise considered as a social problem concerning peace and order, thus this is everybody’s business,” said Rama. — /BRP (FREEMAN)