MANILA, Philippines–At least 24 major anti-narcotics conducted by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police this week resulted in the arrest of 35 known ‘high-value targets’ and the seizure of an estimated P272 million worth of shabu, PDEA chair, Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva said yesterday.
One of the operations also led in the killing of two armed drug traffickers identified as Jing Long Cai and Danny Apiga during a gunfight along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in
Parañaque City, the official said.
The operation conducted by members of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group led by Brigdier Gen. Romeo M. Caramat Jr. and the PDEA National Capital Region Office led to the recovery of 36 large plastic packets with Chinese characters each containing a kilo of the so-called ‘poor man’s cocaine’ worth P244.8 million.
Also recovered during the sting were P2 million worth of boodle money, a Kia sedan and two chamber-loaded caliber .45 pistols.
“The PNP and PDEA are now working as one to get rid of the source of dangerous drugs that endanger the very existence of our communities. Please help us on this lonely but noble battle,” said Villanueva, a former police colonel from Philippine Military Academy ‘Maringal’ Class of 1988.
The PDEA chief also expressed his deepest gratitude to PNP chief, General Archie Francisco F. Gamboa for his strong commitment to finally end President Duterte’s war on drugs.
“My utmost respect too to all PNP and PDEA operatives,for being professional under pressure and strong adversity. You really are the show window of the Philippine drug law enforcement,” Villanueva said.
The other successful stings were recorded in different parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao this week.
Last Friday, PDEA-PNP agents arrested Mansueto Pulido Jr. and Romulo Salomon Jr. during a buy-bust operation inside a mall in Bgy. Bayanihan in Butuan City which led to the confiscation of some 50 grams of shabu worth over P300,000.
Another operation in Purok Dugso, Bgy. San Pedro in Panabo City in Davao del Norte resulted in the arrest of Rodelio Espiritu, Kristine Jean Fabria, Juliben Malicse and Giecar Villanil on Friday. The suspects yielded some P82,000 worth of shabu.
In Bacolod City, suspect Jerry Reyes yielded around P14,000 worth of shabu during a buy-bust operation in Purok Nangka in Bgy. 3.
Another sting at the parking lot of SM Tungko in San Jose del Monte City on Friday led to the arrest of Arnaldo Solomon after he sold around a kilo of shabu worth P6.8 million to a poseur.
In Bgy. Taviran in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, officers arrested couple Kenny and Fhai Fulalon after they conspired to sell some 425 grams of shau worth P2.9 million to a poseur 8:30 a.m. Friday.
In Bgy. Rosary Heights in Cotabato City, authorities arrested Dennis John Bastes and Julie Ann Talavera during a buy-bust operation which yielded some P41,000 worth of shabu and assorted drug paraphernalia on Thursday.
Another operation in Purok Kaingin in Bgy. Singcang, Bacolod City on Thursday resulted in the arrest of Jocelyn Valencia and her six cohorts and the recovery of some 13 grams of shabu worth nearly P100,000.
On the same day, PDEA-PNP officers arrested Jonathan Garrucho during a sting in 12th Avenue, East Rembo, Makati City. The suspect yielded a kilo of shabu worth P6.8 million.
Another sting in Bgy. Hijo in Maco, Davao de Oro on Wednesday led to the arrest of a 17-year old male teenager and his cohort after they conspired to sell some five grams of shabu worth P34,000 to an officer.
Another operation in Bgy. Ag-agrao in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur led to the arrest of Rommel Lalata who yielded some P24,000 worth of shabu last Wednesday.
On the other hand, a suspected Moro National Liberation Front member identified as Johan Bensali and his minor companion were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Bgy. Poblacion, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay early Wednesday afternoon. The suspect were found in possession of some P23,000 worth of shabu.
Another suspect identified as Jordan Rakim was arrested in Bgy. Pinguiaman in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao last Wednesday after he sold some 500 grams of shabu worth P3.4 million to a poseur.
Another two suspects identified as Zainudin Pasandalan and Mursid Ebus were arrested in a sting in Bgy. Maharlika in Taguig City last Tuesday which led in the recovery of a kilo of shabu worth P6.8 million.
Villanueva said all arrested suspects are now facing non-bailable charges for sale and possession of dangerous drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.