Cops deepen probe on Consolacion councilman

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) operatives are conducting a deeper investigation into the alleged involvement of the incumbent barangay councilman of Casili, Consolacion, Avelino Gungob Jr., in illegal drugs after he was caught inside the residence of a suspected drug pusher in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City through an incidental lawful arrest.

CCPO spokesperson, Police Senior Inspector Arieza Otida, said that Gungob was among the five suspected drug personalities who were arrested during the implementation of search warrant against a certain Clint Francis Fernandez.

Gungob who is currently on his second term as barangay councilman of Casili and son of Consolacion former mayor, Avelino Gungob, was caught by the operatives of Guadalupe police together with other suspects Garry Pepito, 39, Noel Goser, 35, Aillen Bornales, 25, and Fernandez repacking suspected shabu.

Fernandez, who is allegedly a brother-in-law of Gungob, was the subject of the search warrant according to Otida.

“Incidental to lawful arrest to siya kay naaktuhan nga nagbahig during sa pag-served sa search warrant sa balay sa subject nga si Fernandez,” said Otida.

So far, they could not establish yet if Gungob is really into pushing of illegal drugs since initial investigation conducted by the Guadalupe Police Station disclosed that Gungob just visited the area.

Otida also said they are now coordinating with Consolacion police to check the background of Gungob in their station and if he can be considered as a high value target.

Police Chief Inspector Gerard Ace Pelare, chief of Consolacion Police Station, on the other hand, told The FREEMAN that Gungob was not on their watchlist of illegal drug personalities.

“Negative siya sa ato listahan. We are now currently conducting background check to determine the depth of his illegal activities,” read the text message sent by Pelare to The FREEMAN.

Recovered from the suspects during the raid were eight medium packs and one large pack of suspected shabu worth P875,000.

The suspects are now temporarily detained at Guadalupe Police Station pending for filing of charges.

INSULT

Meanwhile, Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO) Chief Carmen Ivy Remedios Durano-Meca said that it is an "insult" to the constituents of a barangay to have elected a leader who is involved with illegal drugs.

“Them being respected and elected leaders in their community, it’s really a big insult as well to the members of the community nga they have elected a leader in their barangay that is involved,” she said.

Meca continued that elected leaders who are still involved with illegal drugs up to date should be “on their toes” because the campaign against it is “no joke.”

“Ang ako lang punto nga they have to take it seriously and because of that, they have to take the consequences as well for being involved with illegal drugs,” she continued.

CPADAO, on its part, continues to conduct drug tests to barangay and SK officials aside from police and employees of local government units.

This month, in fact, one SK official in Danao City tested positive for illegal drug use. However, the result is still a subject for a confirmatory test. — GAN (FREEMAN)