23 fall in Danao buy-busts

CEBU, Philippines – In a span of two days, a series of buy-bust operations led to the arrest of 23 suspected drug personalities and confiscation of more than P600,000 worth of suspected shabu in Danao City.

Police conducted Oplan Limpyo Danao on Wednesday and Thursday in Barangays Poblacion, Tuburan Sur, and Looc.

Those arrested were Luditha Gonzales, Alvin Gonzaga, Jhonry Gecolcol, Clifford Bitoon, Junrey Monte, Lloyd Hermosilla, Reynold Camansi, Dulcesimo Mata, Allen Gorre, Bertsenda Jutilla, Jhonny Villaester, Renan Aguilar, Noel Matugas, Lito Cal, Rex Soriano, Alberto Capul, Christian Mark Mata, Pilar Rosales, Victor Lato, Jazzegi Jopia, Candido Casas, John Philip Hortelano, and Mieko Manto.

The suspects yielded a total of 94 small and 10 medium packs of suspected shabu with Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) value of P645,900.  Also confiscated during the operations was a .38 revolver with live ammunition.

In Lapu-Lapu City, a 17-year-old teen was apprehended by police while another three men, including a nephew of a government official, were arrested in buy-bust operations Thursday.

Lyndon Pozon Leonado, 34, was arrested by the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-City Intelligence Branch and City Drug Enforcement Unit.

Superintendent Mark Gifter Sucalit, chief of LCPO-CIB said the buy-bust operation led by Senior Inspector Genesis Anniversario led to the seizure of P295, 590 worth of drugs.

Anniversario confirmed that Leonardo is a nephew of Lapu-Lapu City Administrator Florito Pozon.

Later, Roland Fabia Ayuban, 28, and Jeffrey Morales, 19, were also arrested by the authorities.  In Cebu City, a certain Jessie Carl Butalid, a former underling of slain suspected drug lord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz was able to elude the police during a buy-bust operation conducted by the City Drug Enforcement Unit and City Intelligence Branch on Thursday evening in Barangay Duljo-Fatima.

But in a separate operation in the area, police arrested James Karl Sacedon, 20, and Noel Oltiano, 45.

CIB deputy chief, Senior Inspector John Kareen Escober said an operation was hatched against the two after police received a report regarding their illegal drug transactions in the area.

“Naay tawag nga naay illegal drugs sa area. Naatlan. Timing gyud na-corner man sila sa overpass sa may Salazar,” said Escober.

Recovered from the suspects were suspected shabu worth P365,800.

Butalid, an alleged former underling of Jaguar, was able to elude arrest after sensing police presence in another operation in the area.

However, operatives were able to recover eight small packs and one medium pack of shabu from Butalid’s house, which were worth P64,664.  Escober said charges for the violation of Republic Act 9165 will be filed against the three suspects, including Butalid.

Meanwhile, operatives of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 arrested a father and his son during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sambag I, Cebu City yesterday morning.

PDEA-7 spokesperson Leia Albiar identified the suspects as Edmund Go, 59, and Erwin Go.

Albiar said they received report from the community regarding the father and son’s involvement in illegal drugs and operatives immediately conducted surveillance for three weeks which confirmed their illegal activities.

During the operation, the suspects yielded 50 grams of suspected shabu worth P250,000.

They are now detained at PDEA-7 lockup facility. —/JMD (FREEMAN)