CEBU, Philippines — Police nabbed an alleged hitman of self-confessed drug lord Franz Sabalones at around 2 p.m. yesterday in Sitio Fatima, Barangay Pahina Central, Cebu City.
Suspect Nilve Sayaboc, 39, allegedly kills drug trade rivals as well as drug dealers who do not remit proceeds to Sabalones.
He was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Sylvia Aguirre-Paderanga in 2009 for a murder case.
Sayaboc allegedly shot dead a certain Oyok, also a resident of Pahina Central.
But Sayaboc explained it was self-defense because Oyok had the intention to kill him.
Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Intelligence Branch Deputy Chief Senior Insp. Narrold Tan said that the suspect was considered “armed and dangerous” but he did not resist arrest.
Supt. Ryan Devaras, head of the Investigation Detection Management Branch of CCPO, said they conducted a two-month surveillance before they were able to confirm Sayaboc’s identity and eventually arrest him.
“We’ve been looking for him because of his connection with Franz. Based on the information that we gathered, he is Franz’s hitman. His targets are drug trade rivals and dealers who will not remit proceeds of the drug trade,” Devaras said in Cebuano.
Sayaboc denied that he is a hitman but admitted that he is part of Sabalones’ drug group.
During the early days of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against drugs, Sabalones surrendered to PNP Chief Ronald de la Rosa and admitted that he is into illegal drug trade.
Duterte has named several policemen who are allegedly involved in Sabalones’ group.
Devaras said Sayaboc is a high-value target and they will subject him to interrogation to get more information. — /MBG (FREEMAN)