Policemen seize P20.5 million drugs, arrest 2 suspects

CEBU, Philippines —  Policemen from the Waterfront Police Station under the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) have seized three kilograms of illegal drugs valued at P20.5 million and apprehended two high-profile drug suspects in Cebu City.

According to Police Regional Office-7's Facebook page, this anti-drug operation took place at 10:30 a.m.  on November 29, 2024, behind the Blessed Sacrament in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City.

The arrested suspects were identified as live-in partners Joanna Batongbakal Gallado (alias Ay-Ay), 34, and Raymund Toñacao Jorge (alias Bagmon), 33, from Barangay Tejero, Cebu City. Both are considered high value individuals (HVI).

Authorities confiscated plastic sachets containing the illegal drugs, along with buy-bust money and a backpack used for transporting the drugs.

PRO-7 officer-in-charge Police Brigadier General Roy Parena commended the Waterfront Police Station for their exemplary efforts, which are crucial to creating a safer and more secure Central Visayas region, free from the scourge of illegal drugs.

“Our aggressive and intelligence-driven operational strategy to dismantle drug operations will persist, particularly as we approach the holiday season and the Sinulog festivities. We are resolute in our mission to ensure a safe, secure, and thriving community in Central Visayas," Parena added.

Police Major John Lynbert Yango, the police chief of Waterfront Police Station, mentioned that the operation against the suspects had been conducted for a month.

"Dako ni sila og area of operation like Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue sa gikaingon ni City Director ganeha and other neighboring municipalities since atong makita iyahang gidaghanon ang usa ka ka kilo is ilang nang gibahin-bahin kay ready to deliver nani whereas ang duha ka kilo wala pa to mabahin, ila pa tong bahin-bahinon depende sa pilay kuhaon sa ilang customer" said Yango.

Authorities suspect that the illegal drugs came from Mindanao.

CCPO City Director Colonel Antoneitto Cañete noted that these illegal drugs arrived in the city, especially with the holiday season and the upcoming Sinulog festivities.

The arrested suspects are now in police custody and will face charges under Republic Act 9165, the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002." -  Romeo D. Marantal/LPM