21 fall in C. Luzon anti-drug sweep

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – The police arrested 21 drug suspects, including three high-value targets and seized 94 sachets of shabu in separate anti-illegal drugs operations in Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bataan and Bulacan, it was reported here yesterday.

Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon regional police director, said that the Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija police arrested Ariel Escubio at a checkpoint in Bermuda Junction, Brgy. East Poblacion.

Escubio was categorized as a high-value target and a surrenderer under Oplan Tokhang.

In the Science City of Muñoz, the police responded to a commotion in Brgy. Bantug, where Don Julius Merculio was arrested after he was spotted throwing away sachets of shabu.

Over in Lupao, the police arrested Virgilio Antalan, a kagawad of Barangay Poblacion West and a high-value target in the war on drugs.

Recovered from Antalan were foil strips with residues of shabu and a lighter.

The San Jose del Monte, Bulacan police meantime, conducted a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sta. Cruz 4, which resulted in the arrest of Mark Anthony Marana, Michael Lozada, Junior Alvario and Patricia Ann Candelario.

Confiscated from them were 10 sachets of shabu, drug-using items and marked peso bills.

In Bocaue, the police likewise conducted a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Lolomboy, where Jomar dela Cruz and Crisanto Mallari were arrested.

They yielded 19 sachets of shabu, drug-using items and the marked money.

Likewise arrested in San jose del Monte City was Marnie Manzon, 29.

Operatives of the Mabalacat, Pampanga police arrested Cornelio Cayanan, Peter David, Ara Cayongcat and Hadja Cayongcat following a drug sting in Barangay Dapdap.

Fourteen sachets of shabu, drugusing items and marked money were recovered from the arrested suspects.

In the City of San Fernando, the police Carlo Cabuso,30; Lady Jane Ferrer, 20 and security guard Jerald Soriano in separate buy-bust operations.

Still in Pampanga, Rusielle Dagulo, 40 was arrested in her residence in Floridablanca. Ten sachets of shabu were recovered from her home.

Over in Mexico, arrested was barangay councilman Rodel Celis Gonzales also for drug-related offenses.

Meantime in Dinalupihan, Bataan, another buy-bust operation resulted in the arrest of Alvin Paule, 43 and Merell Cortez, 33.

“The entire Central Luzon police force is adamant in launching police operations to eradicate all forms of illegal drugs in the region as well as ensure the safety and security of the general public,” PRO3 Regional Director Aquino stressed.