Seven others were arrested 2 brothers fall in NBI drug bust

CEBU, Philippines - Two suspected illegal drug pushers and their seven companions were arrested during an operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation-7 with the Navy Special Warfare Group (NSWAG) yesterday morning in Barangay Looc, Danao City.

Brothers Ronald and Roger Barriga were arrested by virtue of a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Teresita Galanida of Regional Trial Court in Mandaue City.

The suspects and their companions did not resist arrest when the authorities pounced on them around 9 a.m.

Lawyer Bernard dela Cruz, the NBI agent on case, said before their operation, the suspects were placed under surveillance for three months.

“We received complaint regarding proliferation of drugs in the area and we found it rampant and later identified the source as Bukad real name Ronald, 39, and Lungay real name Roger, 34, considered level two drug pushers,” he said.

De la Cruz said that they found out that the two brothers were able to dispose of around 10 to 15 grams of shabu every two days.

Their customers are believed to be from Danao City and nearby municipalities.

Confiscated from the suspects were eight large packs and two small packs of suspected shabu worth P400,000, drugs paraphernalia, 13 mobile phones, a .357 revolver, a snub nose .38 revolver, a caliber .25 pistol, a .9mm Taurus pistol, live ammunitions, scissors, identification cards and a weighing scale.

De la Cruz said there were reports that some public officials are among the costumers of the suspects.

De la Cruz said the arrested companions of the suspects were also subject for questioning.

He said they will also investigate whether the suspects were into gun-for-hire business because of the confiscated firearms.

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Ronald admitted to the media that he is selling prohibited drugs for the past two years.

When asked about his drug suppliers, he said he doesn’t know any.

“Igo ra na itunol nako. Ako ranang sugaton sa Mandaue City ug uban pa. Igo ra kong nagbaligya. Naahat kog baligya kay naa koy anak (who is seven months old),” he said.

Ronald admitted that he was jailed for illegal drug charges before but was released when the case was dismissed.

He said he regretted engaging in illegal activities but stressed that he has to face the case.

He added that the confiscated firearms were all just pawned to them.

The NBI is set to file charges against the suspects before the Danao City Prosecutor’s Office.

The confiscation of the firearms does not fall under the Comelec gun ban as they were seized from the residence of the suspects.

 The suspects are now detained at the NBI-7 detention cell. — /LPM (FREEMAN)