Two city traffic aides nabbed in drug bust

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) has recommended for the termination of the services of two traffic aides who were arrested for their alleged involvement of the illegal drug trade.

In a June-20 letter to Mayor Tomas Osmeña, CCTO Head Atty. Ismael Garaygay III and Operations Head Francisco Ouano recommended for the termination of casual employees Francis Abe Mordeno and Ervic Navarro.

“Kato si Navarro is seven years na to siya.  Katong si Mordeno is 15 years.  So, subo kaayo nga palandungon nga nagbuhat sila ana.  In fact, casual employees sila diri, so dako kay sila og katigayunan nga naa sila’y incentives pareha sa regular.  Ilang gisayangan, nagpakauwaw sila sa atong siyudad,” Ouano said.

Policemen arrested four individuals during operation last Wednesday at Sitio Zapanta, McArthur Boulevard, Barangay Tejero.

Aside from the traffic aides, the police also arrested Reynaldo Alegado Ricarte, 29, a resident of Barangay Tejero, and Mark Alcos Miñosa, 39, of Anagan, Apas, Cebu City.

The pieces of evidence seized include the P200 marked money, several sachets of suspected shabu weighing about five grams, a black pouch used for drug container, an improvised funnel, two improvised tooter and two lighters.

The arrested people are now detained at Police Station 3 while waiting for the filing of charges for illegal possession of suspected shabu, illegal possession of equipment, instrument, apparatus and other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs and illegal sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals.

Osmeña has been vocal on his stand against employees who are involved in illegal activities, terminating the employees who are apprehended or even tested positive of illegal drugs.

Ouano said the two employees of City Hall should be terminated from public service as it would taint the image of other traffic enforcers, traffic aides, and the city.

“Reported gyud na sila nga kusog na sila mangilkil kana silang duha, gibuhat na nila several times.  It so happened nga di gyud moanhi ang complainant or di siya enough evidence nga ma-terminate nato nga wa man tay basehan.  Moingon lang nga mangwarta na hearsay lang na siya, pero daghan na kaayo reklamo naabot diri sa atong legal office nga kana silang duha mangilkil, mangwarta which is di gyud ta mosugot, or di gyud ta mo-allow ana ngari sa atong departamento,” he added.

Ouano reminded all traffic enforcers and workers under the office that they should not be involved in any illegal activity as it comes with a hefty punishment, like termination.

Even before the illegal drug trade issue, Ouano said these casual employees are reportedly listed for termination. — Diane Leizle A. Ganar (FREEMAN)