7 suspects fall, P8.12 million drugs seized in series of drug busts 

CEBU, Philippines —  Police seized a total of P8.12 million worth of illegal drugs during a series of buy-bust operations in Central Visayas resulting in the arrest of seven individuals.

One of the biggest hauls was conducted by the operatives of Mambaling Police Station Tuesday evening that resulted in the arrest of Byan Duallo Justol, 20, whom police tagged as high-value individual.

Police Lt. Colonel Alan Rosario, chief of Police community relations of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said investigation and profiling is ongoing to determine the source and background of Justol, who is a native of Bohol. Seized from him were 700 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P4.7 million.

"Yun yung manifestation na hangtod karon, is nag-intensify parin yung operation sa illegal drugs, na hindi tayo nag lie low sa operation sa illegal drugs," said Rosario.

Rosario also admitted that they still have several 'drug personalities' on their watchlist that are under investigation.

Last Tuesday evening, operatives of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU)-7 arrested Rocelito Parba Alcuizar, 38, during a buy-bust operation in Sitio Capaculan, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City. He was caught in possession of 50 grams of shabu worth P340,000.

On Wednesday dawn, another suspected drug peddler—Christine Amodia Monte de Ramos, 26,--- was arrested in Sitio Sta. Ana, Poblacion, Toledo City.

Monte De Ramos yielded 160 grams of shabu worth P1.088 million. Police said she was on the drug watchlist.

Combined operatives of Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit 1st Provincial Maneuver Force Company and Balamban Municipal Police Station also conducted a buy-bust operation in Purok 1, Barangay Arpili, Balamban, Cebu midnight on Tuesday resulting in the arrest of John Marlon Lausa, 33, resident of Purok 1, Barangay Bunga, Toledo City.

Seized from him were 110 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P748,000.

Meanwhile, Regional Police Drug Enforcement (RPDEU)-7 operatives in coordination with Tagbilaran City Police Station in Bohol also arrested on Tuesday two drug suspects in  Purok 5, Barangay Tip-Tip, Tagbilaran City.

The suspects were identified as Jezrel Aaron Estique Butalid ,38, and Mary Mae Pocot Pondoc, 26. At least P510,000 worth of illegal drugs were confiscated from them.

In Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, a certain Davi Bendijo Aguilar, 47, was arrested in Barangay Looc, Dumaguete City.  He was in possession of 100 grams of shabu worth P680,000.

In a statement, Police Brigadier General Roque Eduardo Dela Peña Vega, director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-7, commended the operating units for 'working relentlessly in the campaign against illegal drugs in Central Visayas'.

"Atong pang hingusgan ang kampanya batok sa illigal na droga ug uban pang krimen sa rehiyon. Magtinabangay lang ta aron mabuntog nato kini,” said Vega.

The suspects will face charges for violation of sections 5 and 11 of the R.A 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. — FPL (FREEMAN)