Gaquing: Better for Basay to remain in police station

CEBU, Philippines – In a visit to the Talisay City Police Station, Senior Supt. Jesus Gaquing instructed Senior Insp. Isagani Abalo to secure the safety of alleged drug courier Joel Rhey Basay by allowing him to stay in the said police station for the meantime.

The Cebu Provincial Police Office director checked on Basay at the Talisay Police Station yesterday afternoon after he was “rescued” by Talisay police personnel from a reported abduction.

Basay claimed he works as a runner for an alleged drug lord who happens to be his uncle identified as Marino “Inok” Lawis, 44, of sitio Avocado, barangay Mambaling.

As Supt. Henry Biñas, chief of the Talisay City Police Station, is on leave for five days, Abalo received instruction from Gaquing to make sure that Basay is safe.

Abalo said that they already advised Basay to remain at the police station after Basay expressed fear his uncle might kill him.

“Pero depende lang na sa biktima og pilion sad niyang magpabilin sa police station kay iya man sad nang katungod nga mulakaw. Hinoon, amo siyang gitambagan nga mas maayo sab kung mo-file siya og witness protection,” Abalo said.

For his part, Basay said that he “feels a lot safer now in the hands of the Talisay police rather than going outside.”

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has also coordinated with the Talisay cops after Basay admitted of using the moniker “Jay-r”. The CPPO has in their drug watch list a certain Jay-r.

Basay, 22, admitted to delivering illegal drugs in barangay Labangon; in Camella Homes (Lawaan-I, Talisay); in Carcar, and in Bohol.

It was learned from Abalo that they already filed a case for serious illegal detention against Lawis and two other suspects.

Basay, a resident of barangay Don Andres Soriano (formerly Lutopan) in Toledo City, was found by policemen hogtied inside a three-storey house in Seaview Heights owned by one Alvin Cabigas, but reportedly rented by Lawis.

He was alone when the policemen found him tied to a bed so he could not move. 

Neighbors, who heard unusual noise coming from the house, alerted the police.

Basay said that Lawis was accompanied by Michael Samson, 18 years old, and a certain Tawiwa, 33, who are all neighbors of Lawis in Mambaling. 

The responding police team was led by Insp. Paul Vincent Dorado, backed up by PO3 Mikie Espina and PO2 Allan Villasorda. – Gabriel C. Bonjoc/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)