Alleged bigtime drug dealer falls

CEBU, Philippines - An alleged bigtime drug pusher was arrested by the members of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 yesterday morning around 5 a.m. in sitio Matab-ang, barangay Day-as, Cordova town.

The suspect was identified as Estaneslao Yap Jr., alias “Ontong”, 35, a resident of the said place.

Members of PDEA-7 headed by director Randy Pedroso served the search warrant issued by judge Soliver Peras of Regional Trial Court Branch 10. The raid was witnessed by barangay captain Mariano Tahanlangit and his tanods.

PDEA-7 spokesman Jessie Tabanao said that they confiscated 102 small packs of shabu, P2,055 pesos in suspected drug money, an ATM card and drug paraphernalia.

Tabanao added that they have been conducted surveillance on Yap for some time now as they found it hard to get to him.

As a Level 2 pusher, Yap can allegedly sell at up to 200 grams of shabu every week. He reportedly supplies the whole area of Cordova town, some barangays of Lapu-Lapu City and three barangays of Danao City.

The accused admitted that his supply of illegal drugs came from Mindanao and was delivered to him by a contact he refused to name.

Yap is called “Robin Hood” by his neighbors because he gives them 10 kilos of rice for them every month in exchange for protection.

 Tabanao added that Yap had escaped last month while the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group -7 was conducting a raid.

Yap is also facing an attempted murder case after he shot a police asset.

The charges against him for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the new drug law are set to be filed tomorrow. — Christopher Gabriel C. Bonjoc/BRP (THE FREEMAN)