CEBU, Philippines - Two alleged members of a Mindanao-based robbery gang were arrested in a drug operation yesterday afternoon in Talisay City.
Felixberto Mata, 56, and Aljun Sanchez, 29, both form Mindanao were arrested after selling shabu to operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detective Management Branch (CIDMB) led by Chief Insp. George Ylanan and Talisay City police.
The seized shabu was estimated to be worth P40,000.
The two men are suspected to be members of a Mindanao-based robbery gang lead by Roy Quimada.
However, Mata's son, Felbert, 33, alias “Cocoy” eluded arrest.
Supt. Paul Labra II, deputy city police chief of operation, said Quimada is being suspected of having pulled a string of robberies in the city.
It was reported that Quimada was killed in Osamiz City last year.
A .9 mm pistol, which belonged to SPO2 Emmanuel Sarmiento, was also found inside Mata's house in Ramona Village, barangay San Isidro Talisay City.
Sarmiento, who is currently assigned at the Guadalupe Police Station, said his gun was taken by robbers who robbed his halo-halo store in barangay Tabunok last October 27.
The two alleged robbers are also being linked to the robbery of a money changer in Tabunok last December 22.
Labra said the owner of the establishment positively identified the two men.
During the buy-bust operation, Labra said they ordered a big pack of shabu from Mata. The first transaction was supposed to be done in Mambaling but eventually happened in Ramona Village, near Mata's house.
When the operation was done, the men went inside Mata's house.
Two .38 cal. revolvers, a .45 cal. pistol, and more than 300 rounds of ammunition, drug paraphernalia, were found inside the house.
Two .40 millimeter cartridges were also found.
Labra said the two men when not robbing establishments sold shabu.
“Mao jud ni ilang modus. Basta wala pa silay tulison mamaligya sa ni sila og shabu. Naa gani report nga mu tulis ni sila diri sa Cebu City,” Labra said.
But Mata and Sanchez denied the accusations.
Mata said he just lives in the house of his son Cocoy who he claimed is a businessman and who owns a rice field in Mindanao.
He also denied they were members of Quimada's robbery group.
“Sa akong edad karon dili nako mag-apil-apil anang drugas,” said Mata.
Asked why Sarmiento's gun was found inside the house, Mata said “wa ko kahibaw ana. Basin giprenda na sa akong anak”, said Mata.
He said the .45 cal. pistol owned by his son is licensed.
On his alleged involvement with Quimada's group, Mata said “Nailhan ra na nako siya nga tulisan na siya diri sa Cebu,” said Mata.
He said he has never met Quimada.
For his part, Sanchez denied the same accusations saying that he is just a “palay” planter of Mata in Mindanao.
He said his wife applied work here in Cebu and he opted to stay at Mata's house.
“Akong gikuyogan akong asawa diri sa Cebu kay nangaply dayun diri na lang sad nako gipa-anak,” Sanchez said. (FREEMAN NEWS)