10 fall, 2 killed in anti-drug ops

CEBU, Philippines — High value drug targets were arrested while two drug suspects were killed in separate operations in Cebu City and Talisay City over the weekend.

The operations yielded packs of shabu worth over P7 million.

Cebu City

The operations in Cebu City were carried out Saturday night, the first being in Sitio Kamansi in Barangay Mambaling against Pejay Villanueva and Henry Tabalin.

Operatives of PNP's Drug Enforcement Group confiscated five large packs of shabu with an estimated weight of 500 grams worth P5.9 million, as well as the buy-bust money.

Police Supt. Glenn Mayam, chief of DEG-7, said Villanueva and Tabalin are classified as high-value targets because of amount of drugs confiscated from them. They allegedly distributed drugs across Central Visayas.

The two reportedly started as runners and pushers for big-time drug personalities in Cebu.

"Dugay na ni sila as runner. Pagkawagtang sa uban nga dagko, ang distribution, sila ang ni take over," Mayam said.

The two reportedly managed to operate outside police radar until a month when police received a lead.

Even during the buy bust, the two reportedly stood firm that they would not transact outside their boarding house.

That same night, operatives of the intelligence branch of the Cebu City Police Office closed in on 18-year-old Riza Cabigon in Sitio Riverside, Barangay Duljo Fatima.

Cabigon was arrested with four medium sized packs of shabu estimated to weigh 85 grams and worth more P1,003,000.

Supt. Christopher Navida said Cabigon's name surfaced following recent arrests of drug personalities.

Talisay

Meanwhile, two were killed, while seven other drug suspects, a minor included, were arrested in an operation conducted by personnel of Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Sunday dawn.

The Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) and Talisay Police swooped in on a drug den in Kampo 6, Barangay Manipis arresting one of the targets, Helen Joy Tabilon, who is in the watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) - 7.

Another target, a certain Gilbert Traya, escaped.

Also arrested were Elederio Nadera, Albert Baynos, Gilbert Herbias, Alvin Dacumos, Jean Barcelonya, and a 17-year-old male.

The operation, however, ended with two suspects, Rubidel Gabiana and Jeffrey Himaya, dead.

CPPO Director, Senior Supt. Manuel Abrugena, said Gabiana and Himaya allegedly resisted arrest, prompting the police to shoot them.

Gabiana allegedly tried to steal the service firearm of a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) member who was about to handcuff him. Himaya, for his part, allegedly engaged in a shootout with the police.

"Two of our policemen muntik nang mapahamak. It just so happened na because of their teamwork, naging maagap ang ating kapulisan in order to neutralize and napatay ang suspects," Abrugena said.

Nadera, the live-in partner of Tabilon, said he was arrested in February 2016 for drugs but posted bail later in 2017.

Abrugena said it was the residents in the area that tipped the police of suspicious individuals visiting there.

"The information was given by the community that ang Barangay Manipis is a place wherein nakakakita sila ng mga magagarang sasakyanan, motorsiklo at the wee hours in the morning na pabalik-balik. Ang ginawa namin is nag-conduct ng pagmanman sa area and it turned out that there is something wrong. After that, nagkaroon ng drug bust operation," Abrugena said.

Talisay Police chief, Police Supt. Marlu Conag, said the area has been notorious for cuddling drug groups.

"Malaking grupo 'to sila kaya we sought the help of our counterparts sa CPPO. Madalas na gaming operation sa Barangay Tangke kaya ang iba ay nag-transfer sa (Manipis)," he said.

"We are sending them signals na we are really serious doon sa war against illegal drugs," Conag added.

During the operation, authorities seized suspected shabu worth almost P300,000; three .38 revolvers; and a caliber .45 with live bullets.

Several drug paraphernalia were also recovered, as well as some cash believed to be proceeds of the drug trade.

The suspects arrested denied selling allegations.

Tabilon, herself, said she stopped selling drugs a long time ago. She said Traya just hired her to pack the drugs.

"Sauna involved mi ana, but karon kay wala na. Karon kay og suguon ra mi, manglikit sa plastic… usahay tagaan mi og P200, usahay P500. Dili ra si Traya ang musugo namo; daghan man gaduwa diha… igo ra mi ingnon nga lukuta na, mulukot ra sad mi," she said.

Police Regional Office - 7 Director, Chief Supt. Debold Sinas, commended the operatives for the successful operations.

"Mao ni ang atong giingon nga sunod-sunod nga operation against illegal drugs. Gi-up nato ang operation. Sa Metro Cebu, daghan na ang gipang raid," he said.-/JMO (FREEMAN)