Yellow substance seized in operation: New kind of shabu?

CEBU, Philippines - Is there a new kind of shabu?

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency was able to seize P300,000 worth of shabu during an operation Thursday in Labangon, Cebu City. However, it was yellow, not white, the usual color of shabu.

PDEA Regional Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz said it was actually not a new kind of shabu, he believes it was yellow because it lacks chemicals.

"Kani siya nga quality, I could say nga adunay mga grupo that is trying maybe to manufacture locally or maybe naay nagkuwang nga chemical para ma-purify g'yud. Ang pag-import g'yud sa chemicals, kay ang PDEA g'yud ang naghatag og clearance, dili man ang Customs," he said.

When asked if the shabu seized were manufactured in Cebu, Ruiz said there is a possibility.

"Nagduda g'yud ko nga naay possibility nga nag-attempt-attempt. Ipa-profile nato ni kay we have a type of equipment nga mahibaw-an nato kung asa gikan ang drug. Mahibaw-an nato kay kini atong equipment can analyze down to the molecular level. Makita nato kung magtugma ba sad g'yud sa na-recover ngadto sa Manila. Naa say mga uban nga na recovered sa regions atong e-compare. So makita nato kung asa ang iyang gigikanan," he explained. 

The drugs were seized from Ria Iñigo, 26, a resident of Tres de Abril St., Labangon, during a buy-bust operation.

Iñigo denied being involved in or using drugs. She, however, admitted that her husband used to be, but he is now in jail.

Criminology grad shot dead

In another operation at B. Aranas Extension, Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City, around 6:30 p.m. Thursday, one person was shot dead while five others were arrested.

The fatality was identified as Niño Taboada, a call center agent whom policemen claimed also maintained a drug den. He was shot dead after he allegedly tried to shoot policemen. 

Niño's cousin, Kendall Taboada, also an alleged drug den maintainer, was arrested, as well as Riolito Abella, Jun Lasco, Juanito Pescadero, and Michael Labra, for visiting the drug den.

Ruiz said a certain Danilo Rica, alias "Lolong", managed to escape.

The shabu seized from the operation weighed 205 grams and was valued at P600,000. Aside from the shabu, the operatives were able to seize drug paraphernalia and a Sturm Ruger .357 cal. revolver from Niño.

Kendall denied he was involved in drugs and said he did not know if his cousin was involved in drugs. He added Niño just passed the Criminology Board Examination. Those four suspects arrested for visiting the drug den also denied they were involved in drugs.

However, the PDEA insisted Niño was placed under surveillance after they received information he was selling drugs.

Mistaken identity?

There was a claim that Niño was mistakenly identified by the PDEA-7 as someone with the same name lives in the area.

In a Facebook post, Niño's sister Rhosebelle Taboada, claimed he was innocent.

"It's not even an accident nga napusilan ka! Tuyo jod nga gipusil ka when the PDEA and SWAT TEAM arrived around 6pm, thursday January 19,2017 for RAID or BUY BUST operation. Everyone knows how good you are and knowing that MY BROTHER IS NOT OR NEVER BEEN INVOLVE IN SUCH THING AS DRUGS!!!" the post read.

"Calling the name of our President Duterte, PDEA & SWAT team, and all the anti drugs team. Do you think that by killing someone in every operation is a mission accomplish just for the sake that you waste someone's life. Haaaa, you don't even know who is your real target. You should have the right information first especially names and faces before killing or shooting someone. YOU JUST KILLED THE INNOCENT ONE. YOU JUST KILLED THE PERSON WHO JUST GRADUATED AND JUST PASS THE BOARD EXAM FOR CRIMINOLOGIST last year!!! YOU JUST KILLED THE ONE WHO IS GOING TO BE A POLICE!!! DAMN !!!" it further read.

Ruiz insists the operatives bought shabu from Niño in the first week of December.

"Siya mismo. Actually, pag-adto sa lugar duha sila kabuok akong nakuhaan og drugs, dili lang usa ka tawo. Ang nakuhaan nato ngadto mao ni si Niño Taboada. Mao to siya ang armado ug kani si Kendall Taboada," he said.

"As you can see, atong previous operations bisan aduna na'y armas dili man nato pusilon basta dili lang mo-attempt og sukol. We are professional. We are not killers. Wala man ta mokuan aning trabahoa para mupatay. Last course lang na nato, just to defend ourselves," he said.

Meanwhile, police arrested 13 persons in separate buy-bust operation in Lapu-Lapu City and in Cordova, seizing illegal drugs worth P322,054.

Those arrested were identified as Antonio Macan, 33; and Wilson Salazar, 30, who were arrested in Barangay Bangbang, and Reil Roble, 38; Allan Aying, 36; Mark Leonard Baaclo, 34; Jake Hiyas, 29; Ramil Hiyas, 49; Jenjen Alindajao, 21; Ayna Marie Nacilla, 23; Ahmina Amaya Nazamil, 29; Erwin Romero, 40; Rolando Buhawe, 35; and Metchie Estaniel, 30, who were arrested in Barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City

In Barangay Linao, Minglanilla, a minor was also arrested after a buy-bust operation around 7 p.m. Thursday.

Personnel of the Minglanilla Police Station conducted the entrapment operation against the 17-year-old after receiving information about his illegal drug activity.

Police said they recovered four sachets of shabu from the suspect.

He is currently detained at Minglanilla Police Station stockade pending the filing of criminal complaint against him for alleged violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), particularly for selling dangerous drugs. — with Christell Fatima M. Tudtud and Michael Vencynth H. Braga (FREEMAN)