23 fall in drug raid

CEBU, Philippines - Twenty three persons, including three minors, were arrested on Sunday by the National Bureau of Investigation-7 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tiber, Minglanilla, Cebu.

The buy-bust also led to a drug den that was allegedly under the protection of some policemen.

NBI-7 Regional Director Ricardo Diaz said the area has been under surveillance for some time due to reports of illegal drug trade.

Arrested during the buy-bust were John Harold Aledon, 22; and Aljun Abella, 26. Their arrest led to the house of Roberto Heredia, 54, who was also arrested for allegedly owning a drug den.

Diaz added 20 others were arrested for allegedly being in and around the drug den, but are still subject for questioning.

“Also arrested at the site of the drug den are 20 other persons. Their residences are being established as of this writing to determine if they have legitimate purpose to be in the area otherwise, cases for violation of Section 7 Paragraph B (visiting a drug den) shall be filed against them,” Diaz said.

Diaz said they found various drug paraphernalia inside the alleged drug den while an estimated 20 grams of shabu were confiscated during the operation.

He said Heredia will be charged for maintaining a drug den while Aledon and Abella will be charged for possession and sale of illegal drugs.

Fall guys?

Abella denied dealing in drugs. He said he was just inside the house resting when he heard a commotion outside. When he went outside he was surprised when he was arrested by the NBI without a valid reason.

He added it was his relative who lived in the same house who sold shabu, not him. His mother, Alma Unabia, 52, likewise claimed her son did not sell drugs.

One of the minors aged 13 also said he was arrested for no reason. He claimed he went to the area to play basketball and was surprised when he was suddenly arrested. Other suspects arrested likewise denied they were in the drug den.

The buy-bust operation was the first under the leadership of Diaz. Diaz assumed office as new regional director of NBI-7 last week replacing Max Salvador.

Police protector?

Senior Inspector Richard Gadingan, Minglanilla Police Station chief, said it disappoints him that while some policemen are doing their jobs, others might be doing the exact opposite.

This after he reported hearing allegations that a police official and two police non-commissioned officers were reportedly protecting the drug den raided by the NBI.

“Lisod man na’g mag-alegar ta’g mga pulis… sakit baya kaayo na nimo nga alegaran mo’g ingon ana,” said Gadingan.

Gadingan welcomed other law enforcement units to conduct anti-illegal drug operations in Minglanilla saying it would be a great help to the police in solving the illegal drug problem.

“Kami sa kapolisan sa Minglanilla nagpasalamat mi nga naay operasyon ang NBI nga nakadakop sila,” Gadingan said.

He added that the Minglanilla Police Station is also doing their job in enforcing the law especially in conducting anti-illegal drugs cooperation.

Superintendent Rodolfo Albotra, Provincial Intelligence Branch chief said they have counter-intelligence efforts in place to determine if there are members of the police who are in cahoots with drug suspects.

Albotra said that they are continuously cleansing their ranks of “bad eggs” and encouraged other law enforcement agencies to present proof if some police personnel have drug links.

“We will try to reach out kung unsay among mabuhat, kung unsay among ikatabang ug ika-reach out ining mga information nga naay involved nga PNP personnel,” Albotra said.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)