14 including “teacher” fall in buy-bust

CEBU, Philippines - At least 14 people, including an alleged teacher, were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sambag Uno, Cebu City on Wednesday night.

Also among those arrested by operatives of the City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group of the Cebu City Police Office was the subject of the operation, Archie Roma, 33.

Others arrested were alleged teacher from Barili town, 34-year-old Jeramil Sacil; Bayani Alcomendras, 52, from Barangay Luray, Toledo City; and 11 other men reportedly caught sniffing shabu.

Various sachets of suspected shabu weighing 12 grams and amounting to P150,000 were recovered by the police from Roma's house.

A cal. 38 homemade revolver and ammunition were also confiscated from Roma.

According to Senior Inspector Eunil Avergonzado, chief of CAIDSOTG, Roma's house was being used as a drug den and most of his customers live outside Cebu City.

"Tinuod naa'y maestro. Actually niana siya nga dili ipakita ang iyang identity pero dili man na pwede," Avergonzado said.

There were also video karera and moli-moli machines found inside Roma's house, he said.

 Avergonzado said they placed Roma under surveillance for two weeks after verifying the information on the suspect's alleged drug activities from a concerned citizen.

According to the police, Roma, being a level two drug pusher, can dispose of 300 grams of shabu a week and his supply of drugs come from Muntinlupa City.

When asked by reporters, Roma denied that his house was being used as a drug den. He also denied owning the firearm and the live rounds found inside his house.

He further claimed that some of those who were arrested with him were actually his boarders and the rest, including the teacher, were looking for a boarding house.

The FREEMAN tried to get the side of the alleged teacher but he refused to be interviewed.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rhea Mar Angtud, Cebu Schools Division Superintendent, has directed the district supervisor in Barili to investigate the report to identify the teacher and the school he is connected with.

Angtud added that they are waiting for the Capitol to conduct a random drug test among the teachers to eliminate those involved in illegal drug activities.

If found guilty, the teacher will be dismissed from service and his Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) license will also be cancelled, said Angtud.  — (FREEMAN)