‘Barok’ names his protectors

“High-profile individuals” 

CEBU, Philippines - Three days after suspected drug lord Alvaro Alvaro, alias "Barok", surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation Bohol office, he allegedly named several high-profile individuals who are involved in the illegal drug trade.

The names are being withheld by the NBI pending further investigation.

Police Regional Office 7 Director Patrocinio Comendador Jr. said this information must be thoroughly validated to be fair to Alvaro and the high-profile individuals tagged in the drug trade.

For now the regional headquarters has not received any formal reports yet but the Regional Intelligence Division and the Provincial Intelligence Branch are now coordinating with NBI-7.

Comendador added that information coming from suspected drug personalities are treated with utmost caution and will be subjected to rigorous validations to determine accuracy.

"Kini man 'gung coming from suspected pusher or suspected drug dealer di sad ta kaingon although there are parts nga reliable ang iyang mga information…he may have a grudge against anybody, information will be relayed to us will be validated," Comendador said.

"We need to be cautious about that, we will validate and we will give chance the opportunity to air their side. Illegal drugs syndicate is a very hard enemy, they have all the resources, it is unfair for them to maliciously allege," said Superintendent Henry Biñas, Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division-7 chief.

However, he said that testimonial evident like this will still be admissible in administrative proceedings if an administrative case will be filed against a policeman or police official.

"Sometimes, testimonial evidence but generally it is admissible but we have to consider the person alleging if he has the axe against the police," he added.

Comendador said he already coordinated with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 for their cooperation.

Alvaro is an associate and also a "client" of slain suspected drug lord Jeffrey "Jaguar" Diaz, who was shot dead earlier this month.

Comendador in an earlier interview said, compared to Diaz, Alvaro is relatively not that big but is still considered a top drug personality operating in northern Cebu.

He is also believed involved in the killing of former Poro Station chief Senior Inspector Jonas Tahanlangit and another policeman in Danao City.

Comendador said information relayed to him revealed Diaz started small and was arrested and charged for four charges. Two were dismissed but he was convicted of the other two. He appealed his case and won the appeal and in 2010 returned to Cebu from the New Bilibid Prisons to start enlarging his network.

"Naa siya'y network, naay subgroups and drug dealers sa Cebu City and later on expand in other areas, Bohol, region 8 region 6 and Metro Manila," Comendador said.

Alvaro is part of Diaz's network that operates in the northern part of Cebu.

As the years passed by Diaz became the top supplier of shabu in Regions 6 and 8, and because his prices are lower than his competitors he won the market in Cebu and in other areas.

Tight security

Tight security is being extended to Alvaro, who is currently under the custody of the NBI-7.

Reporters who supposed to interview NBI-7 Director Jose Justo Yap were initially denied access. Even Police Regional Intelligence Division chief Rex Derilo submitted himself to security and was frisked.

Derilo went to the NBI-7 office yesterday morning for "law enforcement coordination." He said the two law enforcement agencies will be exchanging information in anticipation of their future operations.

Rennan Oliva, head of the NBI district office in Bohol, said Alvaro's life may be at risk for squealing on those involved in the drug trade.

Alvaro was charged for possession of dangerous drugs and illegal possession of firearms. He will be temporarily detained at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center while waiting for a commitment order from the Regional Trial Court Branch 25 in Danao City, which has jurisdiction over his case.

Drug  suspects  arrested

Meanwhile, police arrested three men including a bigtime suspected drug dealer in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City, yesterday.

The FREEMAN is withholding their names pending a formal police report, but the Facebook profile of Mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña said evidence recovered included 24 packs of shabu worth approximately P530,000.

"Many residents from Calamba and A. Lopez have complained about the drug problem in their neighborhood. So we're doing something about it. Earlier this afternoon, police from Station 6 (Calamba) and CAIDSOTG (Cebu police's anti-drug task force) conducted a buy-bust operation in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Calamba," his post read.

"He was tolerated, even protected, during the previous administration. He will not be tolerated in mine," the post further read.  (FREEMAN)