Police intensify effort vs. cops in drug trade

The arrest of a policeman and a former policeman for allegedly peddling illegal drugs led to the speculation that there are more policemen involved in the drug trade.

Vice Control Section chief, S/Insp. George Ylanan said they are gathering more evidence against another policeman and two former policemen allegedly involved in selling drugs.

The office of Ylanan was responsible for the arrest of PO1 Aldwin Vicada, assigned to the San Nicolas police station, and former policeman John Rey Catiri who was formerly detailed with the Regional Mobile Group based in Sibonga town. He has been declared absent without official leave since 2001.

Confiscated from the suspects were 50 grams of shabu with a street value of P450,000.

The operatives who arrested Vicada and Catiri will receive a "little bonus" from the city government, according to Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

"They are just doing their job. We will give them a reward, a little bonus," Osmeña said.

Osmeña said the arrest of the two policemen will help the PNP image a lot.

Last year, two policemen and classmates of Vicada were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation for allegedly selling drugs. PO2 Leo Batigalao and PO2 Jaime de la Cruz, both assigned in Cebu City, are now facing charges.

Last July 9, another classmate of Vicada was arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch for visiting a house used as drug den. Confiscated from PO1 Richard Rosacena were drug paraphernalia and an unlicensed .45 cal. pistol with five live bullets. - Jose P. Sollano and Garry B. Lao