P25M shabu may have been for Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines — The police suspect that the P25 million worth of shabu recovered from a high-value target last Monday night is meant for distribution at parties and other activities in line with the Sinulog celebration.

The drugs were seized from one Alfred Gabunia, 35, during a buy-bust operation in Barangay San Nicolas, Cebu City. The operation was hatched after two weeks of surveillance with the help of an undercover cop.

Cebu City Police Office Director Royina Garma said the drugs came from Talisay City and they have reason to believe these were to be delivered to suppliers in Cebu City.

“So sumpay-sumpay na ang links with other drug personalities na nahuli na natin before, galing ito sa Mindanao and dumaan sa Talisay para i-distribute dito sa Cebu City. Intended for Cebu, and possibly na for Sinulog,” Garma said.

The shabu recovered from Galbunia was of a dirty white shade and had similar physical appearance with drugs recovered in Argao from slain drug suspect Tocillo Ababon who has links with drug personality Franz Sabalones.

Garma said Galbunia belongs to a drug syndicate called J Camotes based in Mindanao whose leader has already been arrested.

But as anticipated, someone may have taken over the group’s leadership.

“Drug is a business so kahit mamatay pa ang boss at financier, somebody will eventually take his place, somebody will lead the operations. Hindi mauubos ang drugs habang mayroong gumagamit kaya ang laki na ng huli natin, mayroon pa ring drugs,” Garma said.

The mobile phone recovered from Galbunia will undergo forensic examination in hopes of recovering contacts and conversations.

Galbunia would also be made to undergo tactical debriefing.

Garma said it would be better if local government units can put in place ordinances that would require owners of boarding houses to require tenants necessary government documents.

“Dapat talaga sa LGU, mayroon din mga ordinance na pinagbabawal ang pagrenta ng walang pertaining documents kasi yun ang nagiging modus nila (drug personalities),” she said.

Galbunia is detained at the Pardo police station prior to filing of appropriate charges for violation of Section 5 (possession) and Section 11 (selling) of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.

Drugs recovered were turned over to PNP Crime Laboratory for tracking, inventory and assessment.

In a separate development, the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office has charged in court Ivan Matig-a, the man who was arrested with 287.4186 grams of shabu worth at least P2 million.

Matig-a, an ex-convict, was arrested during a buy bust operation late evening on January 2.

Matig-a was allegedly selling drugs near a university in Barangay Mambaling. – With Mylen P. Manto (FREEMAN)