3 suspected pushers set for transfer today

CEBU, Philippines – The three alleged cohorts of a suspected big-time drug pusher in Barangay Duljo-Fatima are set to be transferred to Cebu City Jail today while their cases will be heard in court.

Inspector Gomersendo Mandawe, deputy chief of the City Intelligence Branch, said the court is expected to issue the commitment order today against Christopher Dob, 31; Criesdel Hugo, 38; and Junrel Tradio, 26.

The three are temporarily detained at the Cebu City Police Office.

They were indicted by prosecutor Raul Cristoria for violation of Section 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The three accused opted not to submit their counter affidavit during the inquest proceedings and manifested to directly answer the charges in court.

In an earlier interview, Dob, Hugo, and Tradio denied the allegations, claiming they worked only as carpenters and were not involved in illegal drug activities.

They were arrested during a raid conducted by CIB operatives against Mart Diez in Sitio Santo Niño, Barangay Duljo Fatima, Cebu City last Monday evening.

Diez managed to elude arrest by climbing onto the roof. The police, however, caught Dob, Hugo, and Tradio in the act of repacking illegal drugs in the house of Diez.

The police seized two large, 15 medium, and 235 small packs of suspected shabu from Diez’ residence estimated to be worth P2.1 million.

They also recovered P5,000 cash believed to be proceeds of the illegal drug trade.

Superintendent Romeo Santander, CIB chief, earlier said Diez was allegedly the trusted lieutenant and henchman of suspected drug lord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz.

The operation against Diez which led to the arrest of the three accused was a follow-up operation to a raid conducted against Jaguar and his relatives Sunday dawn.

While they were able to confiscate P4 million worth of suspected shabu in that operation, the compound was already abandoned upon the arrival of the police. —/FPL (FREEMAN)