Cop caught in ‘drug den;’ three others fall for shabu

CEBU, Philippines - A police officer and three others were arrested in separate buy-bust operations in Borbon town and Danao City, respectively, Monday afternoon.

 Operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch seized nearly P200,000 worth of illegal drugs from both operations.

In Barangay Poblacion, Borbon, Police Officer 2 Bernard Almeda was arrested after he was caught inside an alleged drug den in sitio Intermedia at about 1:40 pm.

 Almeda, assistant intelligence officer of Borbon Police Station, alleged that he was in the area to check on the fighting cocks of Edwin Cabahug, who was also the subject of PIB’s operation.

 But Almeda’s alibi was different to the statement of Borbon Police chief, Inspector Glen Devocion, who said that he asked Almeda to look into the area, without specifying why, though.

“Kusog man pud ni manabong ang pulis unya tua pud didto’y daghang manok unya wala gyud diay siya mahibalo nga pusher iyang giadto? Kadakong binuang,” said Superintendent Rodulfo Albotra, chief of PIB.

Cabahug, allegedly a level two drug pusher who could dispose 25 to 50 grams of shabu a week, eluded arrest but his cohort, Zeev Tulod, 40, was arrested with Almeda.

Seized were five packs of shabu in different sizes amounting to P50,000, drug paraphernalia, P500 marked money, and a Colt .45 pistol with 21 bullets and three magazines.

The suspected shabu were forwarded to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory-7 for chemical analysis while the firearm to the Firearms Explosives Security Service Agency and Guards Supervisory Section to check if it is government-issued or personally-owned by Almeda.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director, Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, said they are verifying a report they received that a policeman is protecting illegal drugs in Borbon when they timely arrested Almeda.

“It is up to the police (Devocion) to execute his affidavit because we will file a case against the policeman, who is a drug user, based on their investigation,” Gillamac said.

Meanwhile, Joseph Gonzales, 25 and Ralph Casiong, 28, both from Barangay Looc, Danao City were also arrested by another team of PIB, a few minutes prior to the operation in Borbon.

Recovered from the suspects, who are also alleged level two drug pushers, were 20 packs of shabu in various sizes worth P130,000 and P200 marked money.

Gillamac said the suspects will be facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

“No one will be exempted. Way gipili, whoever is involved in illegal drugs,” he said.

The suspects are now detained at the Consolacion police stockade. — (FREEMAN)