Drug lord scares police chief

CEBU, Philippines - A town police chief has received threats to his life and that of his family following the arrest of a suspected drug pusher in Barangay Talaga, Argao.

Inspector Alejandro Batobalonos, Argao police chief, said he fears for the safety of his family in Cebu City because he believes that the threats came from a suspected drug lord.

"Sir ayaw palabi. Sige malang ka panakop. Basin nagtuo ka dili ka mabawsan. Sayon ra kuhaon imo pamilya. Bisan imo pa anak kaya namo bawsan," reads one of the text messages received by Batobalonos.

Batobalonos said he started receiving threats hours after they have arrested Joel Minoza in Sitio Tikoy, Barangay Bogo last Saturday afternoon during a buy-bust operation.

Miñoza is reportedly a level two drug pusher in Argao who is getting his supply from the drug lord in Cebu City. Batobalonos admitted knowing the drug lord personally but refused to divulge his name pending investigation.

"Naalarma ko'g gamay kay sa tinuod. sayon ra man gyud kuhaon akong pamilya kung ila gyu'ng tinud-on. ( I am worried because my family is an easy target if they really want to)," Batobalonos told The FREEMAN.

Batobalonos explained that he knew the drug lord was responsible for the threats because he claimed to be his neighbor in Barangay Mambaling.

Miñoza also admitted during tactical interrogation that he got his supply from a certain "Jaguar".

Batobalonos said he knew of a certain Jaguar who is also a known drug personality in Cebu City. In fact, he is reportedly under the police order of battle against suspected drug personalities.

Batobalonos said he has already taken precautionary measures for his family.

Batobalonos said this is not the first time he received threats. Last year, he also received text messages after he arrested Edgar Tapayan, another big time drug pusher in Argao.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador said he supports Batobalonos. Comendador said he would not allow his men to be hurt by criminal elements. 

Miñoza has been arrested by the authorities five times already. Confiscated from him last Saturday was a white plastic pack containing 13 small packets of shabu worth P6,500 and the P500 marked money. The police also recovered P2,600 cash believed to be proceeds of his illegal drug trade.

Miñoza was convicted and jailed at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City but he was granted probation.

He has also two other pending charges for possession of illegal drugs and is currently out on bail.— (FREEMAN)