In pinamungajan and liloan: Cop, 3 others nabbed for drugs

CEBU, Philippines – Four people, including a police officer, were arrested in separate anti-drug operations last Friday resulting in the confiscation of over P200,000 worth of suspected shabu.

The arrest of Police Officer 1 Ian Patrick Carvellida, investigator of Pinamungajan Police Station, serves as warning for other policemen that indeed, "no one is above the law."

Carvellida was arrested past 8 p.m. on Friday in Barangay Poblacion, Pinamungajan by the operatives of Provincial Intelligence Branch inside a drug den operated by suspected drug pusher Allan Salazar.

PIB operatives were out on a buy-bust operation against Salazar, who was tagged as level two drug pusher, when they saw Carvellida allegedly sniffing drugs inside the house.

PIB chief Superintendent Rodolfo Albotra said Carvellida tried to draw his firearm when the members of the raiding team approached him, prompting them to shoot him twice in the leg. He was immediately brought to Pinamungajan District Hospital.

"This is just a fair warning to the police, kahit police mo we are going to arrest you," said Cebu Provincial Police Office director Senior Superin-tendent Clifford Gairanod.

Gairanod admitted there are other policemen identified to be involved in illegal drugs activity.

"Naa pay polis na targetonon but unluckily they were not there and we will conduct another operations…. less than 10 ang mga police nga targetonon," Gairanod said.

He said they have been receiving reports that seve-ral policemen are frequenting the house of Salazar in Pinamungajan.

Salazar had been placed under surveillance after his name was found in several money remittance receipts confiscated from a suspected drug pusher in Toledo City last year.

Gairanod said criminal and administrative charges will be filed against Carvellida while criminal charges for possession and sale of shabu will be filed against Salazar.

In another operation, an estimated P119, 652 worth of shabu and illegal firearm were seized Friday afternoon during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tayud, Liloan.

The operation also resulted in the arrest of suspected drug pushers

Davemark Sasing, 36; and John Maglasang, 41, both residents of the barangay.

They were caught in the act of selling a pack of shabu to an undercover policeman.

Police Officer 3 Jason Dayo, desk officer of Liloan Police Station, said they are still conducting further investigation to determine how long the two had been in operation.

Six small packs and two large packs of suspected shabu weighing at least 10.14 grams were seized from the suspects. The police also confiscated a caliber .45 pistol with five live rounds of ammunition and one magazine. —/FPL (FREEMAN)