Nine people arrested in separate buy-bust operations

CEBU, Philippines - In less than eight hours, nine people, including a 15-year-old boy, were arrested by the police in separate buy-bust operations in the towns of Argao and Tuburan last Thursday.

In the first operation, suspects Marmebee De los Reyes, 32, of Barangay Binlod, Argao, and his live-in partner Debralyn Archita, 30, were arrested by the Argao police in Barangay Jampang.

Archita was arrested around 3:55 p.m. after he allegedly handed a pack of shabu to a poseur-buyer.

Another buyer Richie Tanquis was able to elude arrest by jumping into a ravine.

Police recovered from De los Reyes eight small packets and one medium packet of shabu worth P21,000, disposable lighters, drug paraphernalia, six medium packets with residue, plastic for repacking, a cellular phone and identification cards from the suspects.

Insp. Alejandro Batobalonos, Argao police chief, said that Archita and De los Reyes were level two drug pushers. They reportedly got their supply from Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City.

Charges for violation of Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the suspects.

In Tuburan, police arrested Ken Haryll Ruelan, 31, of Barangay 4; his live-in partner Christine Pantollano, 30, of Barangay San Roque; and her brother Garry Pantollano, 18; Cloyd Figeroa, 33, of Barangay 3; and the minor.

They were arrested inside a room they rented in a resort in Barangay Daanlungsod at 11:30 p.m.

“Sige man kuno ni sila og balhin-balhin og abang og kwarto kay mamaligya lagi,” Colonia said in a phone interview.

Recovered from them were 11 small packets and one medium packet of shabu, a motorcycle, and a weighing scale.

PO3 Yuri Colonia, investigator, said that the suspects did not resist arrest right after Ruelan received the P400 marked money from a poseur-buyer in exchange of shabu.

Police will file charges against the suspects and are waiting for the Certificate of Discernment from the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the 15-year-old boy.

After the filing of the case, the DSWD will turn over the boy to the Operation Second Chance in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City. — (FREEMAN)