Drug suspect, 2 ‘snatchers’ fall

CEBU, Philippines —  A “high-value individual” was arrested with P2.7 million worth of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation in Sitio Bliss, Barangay Bonbon, Aloguinsan town, midwest Cebu on Friday evening.

Ras Fernandez Manano, alias “Aki,” 44, of Sitio Lawis, Barangay Pasil, Cebu City, fell into the hands of authorities with 410 grams of illegal drugs as part of the so-called Simultaneous Anti Criminality Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO).

Another suspect identified as Surina Pealosa Gocela, 52, a resident of Purok 4, Barangay Bonbon, Aloguinsan town and considered as a street-level person (SLI), managed to elude arrest during the same operation.

The operation was hatched after the police received information that the suspect was making “unauthorized rounds” in the municipality of Aloguinsan.

The operation resulted in the seizure of six packs of suspected shabu worth P2,788,000, the P1,000 buy-bust money, and P16,000 in boodle money.

The successful joint operation was conducted by Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit led by Police Lieutenant  Bonifacio Tan~ola, and was headed by Police Major Joey Bicoy and Aloguinsan Police Station led by acting chief Police Lieutenant Roberto Barnido.

Snatching incident

Meanwhile, authorities apprehended two alleged snatchers who used a motorcycle to leave the scene after carting away some belongings of their victim along Ramos Street, Barangay Cogon Ramos, Cebu City, on Saturday morning.

Police identified the suspects as Jeterjie Narboada Labares, 23, of Sitio Bag-ong Dan, Barangay Yati, Liloan town, and Arnel Catarenen Marco, 26, of Barangay Lamac, Consolacion town.

According to police accounts, the victim, Mae Catherine Comendador San Felipe, 37, from Barangay Lorega, Cebu City, was walking along Ramos Street together with her sister and a friend when one of the suspects, the back rider of a white Hondo XRM motorcycle, suddenly disembarked from the vehicle and grabbed her shoulder bag.

The suspect then tried to run quickly to the motorcycle to ride back.

However, when the victim was able to hold and pull the suspect, her sister and friends came to her aid and requested assistance from a bystander in the area.

When responding officers arrived at the scene, the suspects had already suffered bruises after being mauled by bystanders.

Recovered from them were the stolen items which included one shoulder bag containing one cellular phone, an Asus laptop worth P17,000, a wallet with P5,000, and personal belongings.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) had warned locals and tourists against snatchers these days, citing that the ease of restrictions on COVID-19 has contributed to an increase in theft cases. — Jonah Marie Chu, CNU Intern, JMD (FREEMAN)