Couple indicted for illegal drugs

CEBU, Philippines - Finding probable cause, the Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor has indicted two live-in partners arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation-7 for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Assistant City Prosecutor Simaco Labata held Christopher Hilongos, 20 and Gladys Entoma, 20, both residents of D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City, for trial.

In an inquest proceeding, Hilongos, who was charged for maintaining a drug den, and Entoma, for illegal selling of dangerous drugs, opted not to undergo preliminary investigation to answer the allegations filed against them.

Aside from Hilongos and Entoma, the NBI also arrested Fidelina Salcedo, 20, a resident of Jakosalem St., Cebu City.

Salcedo was charged for maintaining a drug den and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia. She also chose not to undergo preliminary investigation.

Prior to their operation, NBI lead agent Arnel Pura said an informant reported to their office about the alleged drug activities near the Cebu City Hall.

Acting on the report, he said they conducted a month-long surveillance and found out that some City Hall employees, students and workers at the Carbon Public Market were actually customers of Entoma.

Past 8 a.m. last Wednesday, Pura said they conducted a buy-bust operation against Entoma leading to the arrests.

Hilongos, Entoma and Salcedo denied the allegations. Entoma claimed she was only running an errand when she was arrested, while Hilongos and Salcedo denied maintaining a drug den.

After the incident Mayor Michael Rama expressed his disappointment at policemen assigned to a detachment in Plaza Sugbo for failing to detect the drug den just nearby.

However, the Cebu City Police Office clarified that last Wednesday was not the first time the drug den was raided.

Superintendent Romeo Santander, chief of the Cebu City Intelligence Branch, said even before the NBI raided it Wednesday, they have already conducted several operations in that area.

In fact, he said early last year, they arrested someone who had just been released from jail less than a week.

“Kay during sa pag-apprehend namo niya, with almost 100 grams (of suspected shabu), bitbit gihapon niya ang release order gikan sa Cebu City Jail,” said Santander.

With regards to the NBI’s operation last Wednesday, Santander said they already talked with Pura and they found out that it just so happened that residents asked assistance for help from the NBI-7. He said it did not mean that the Cebu City police did not monitor their area or responsibility.

“But at least this is a concerted effort no sa mga law-enforcement agencies in curbing the illegal drugs. Dili ra man ingon nga we have competition sa ingon ani lang,” said Santander.

However, Santander said he directed the Waterfront Police Station to intensify the monitoring in their area of responsibility especially near City Hall.

“And gipa-explain namo ang Police Station 3 commander regarding that one.Although naa ilang presence didto during sa raid but still mangayo gihapon ta sa ilang side, especially sa ilahang intelligence personnel diha,” said Santander. — Mylen P. Manto and Ma. Fatima R. Secuya/BRP (FREEMAN)