PIB operatives awarded for anti-drug campaign

CEBU, Philippines - Members of the Cebu Provincial Intelligence Branch yesterday received a Medalya ng Kagalingan from the Police Regional Office-7 for its extensive campaign against illegal drugs.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director, Sr. Supt. Noel Gillamac, also received the same distinction. The other awardees are PIB chief, Supt. Rodolfo Albotra and his five-man team tasked to go after illegal drug traders led by Sr. Inspector Leo Logroño.

PRO-7 director, Chief Supt. Danilo Constatino, personally pinned the medals to the awardees during the flag raising ceremony at the regional police headquarters.

Albotra said the recognition will encourage them to push even more in the campaign against illegal drugs.

 â€œWith the continuous effort sa PIB as mandated to us, we are thankful that our effort has been recognized,” Albotra said.

PIB operatives killed suspected drug pusher and hitman Allan Arriesgado during an encounter in Medellin last January.

Arriesgado reportedly resisted arrest.

His wife, Marissa, 33, and siblings Saldy and Jerry and his friend Vicente Rosos Jr. were arrested during the operation.

Several packs of shabu, money transfer receipts, a .38 revolver with five bullets, three .45 caliber pistols with seven bullets, .357 magnum revolver with six bullets, .22 Black Widow revolver with five bullets, and a hand grenade were seized from the suspects.

Arriesgado was facing frustrated murder and homicide cases in Liloan in 2008.

Saldy and Jerry were also suspects in a shooting incident in Barangay Tinubdan, Daanbantayan. Murder and homicide charges were filed against them by the Daanbantayan police. (FREEMAN)