Cop tips off brother’s drug trade

A tip from his policeman brother led to the arrest of a suspected drug pusher in Barangay Guba, Cebu City, Friday morning.

Senior Inspector Arieza Otida said Jobelon Suquib, 41, was placed under surveillance for two weeks after they received reports from his brother, Chief Inspector Gerald Suquib, currently assigned in the Cordillera Region, regarding his brother's involvement in illegal drugs.

Otida added that Jobelon was very elusive as he did not stay in one place for a very long time.

“Very fortunate nga naa'y naka-report nato nag naa daw siya sa area maong ato dayon gi-conductan og operation,” said Otida.

Jobelon, who yielded several packs of suspected shabu amounting to P65,000 allegedly also operates in barangays Talamban, Sirao, and Adlaon.

Last Tuesday, Talamban police also arrested the former Private first class Stanley Coca, who was discharged from the army in 2013, and three companions in a buy-bust operation.

NO BAIL

The Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor has recommended no bail against a man accused of trying to transport drugs to Bohol.

Prosecutor Mario Gidayawan indicted Alimar Zafra, of Loboc, Bohol for violation of Section 5 in relation to Section 26(b), Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Inspector Joffrie Rosell said last August 1 around 10:45 p.m., Zafra, who was bound for Bohol, was frisked by x-ray machine operator Regine Sayson at a walk-in metal detector at Terminal 2 of Pier 3.

Sayson felt something bulging in the left side of Zafra's pants. Zafra said it was just his inner garments.

Following standard operating procedures, Sayson asked Zafra to pull out the bulging object, the latter hurriedly turned back but was blocked by a security guard.

Rosell said Zafra then voluntarily lowered his pants and pulled out a blue plastic bag containing suspected marijuana. This was later confirmed during laboratory testing. In all there were 11 heat-sealed packs of marijuana weighing 50.5 grams.

In his counter-affidavit, Zafra denied the marijuana was taken from him, saying he would not check-in early at 10:45 p.m. when the next scheduled trip was at 1:30 a.m. yet.

However, Gidayawan ruled in favor of the prosecution saying there was probable cause in the complaint filed.

BODY CAMS

Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe is proposing that police operatives wear body cameras during their operations amid public outrage over a spate of killings, including those of minors, in the war against illegal drugs.

Poe said that a policy requiring body-worn cameras should be put in place so that those who are conducting appropriate investigations or review of cases have indisputable evidence how the operations are carried out.

“We don't want to discourage a legitimate operation that follows proper protocols. Kapag ganito, marami rin nang-aabuso, ang kwento, General, yung iba kasi gustong patahimikin dahil kasabwat din ang mga pulis, kaya ang body cam, makakatulong,” Poe told PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

Poe described the killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos a tragedy as she called for a speedy investigation into the case and 30 others aged 18 years old and below killed in either police operations or by alleged vigilantes.

ILLEGAL GAMBLING

Three women were arrested in a joint operation by the Provincial Public Safety Company and Talisay police for allegedly running illegal gambling activities Thursday evening in Sitio Isla Verde, Barangay San Isidro, Talisay City.

However, those arrested claimed that police also took their personal money worth P150,000.

Those arrested were Cristina Pescadiro, 37; Marina Pardillo 48; and Victoria Illustorio, 44.

During the operation, authorities recovered P1,850 believed to be proceeds of illegal gambling, two cellphones, 12 tally sheets, stubs with number combinations, and other items used in illegal gambling operations.

The three admitted they were ushers of illegal gambling, but Pescadiro also claimed the operatives seized her family's savings of around P150,000 and a cellphone, both of which were not indicated in the police report.

Pescadiro's husband, who requested anonymity said what the police did is abuse.

"Angkon mi sir nga usher g'yud mi pero ang ilang gibuhat dili na sab mao kay kwarta gud na sa akong mama para sa iyang opera, maayo unta og ila ning mabalik," he said.

Superintendent Emerson Dante, Talisay City police chief, told them to file a complaint.

"Para mabigyan natin ng fair investigation ang both parties, ang illegal di talaga pwede maging legal yan. ‘Yung allegation nila they must file a formal complaint at i-prove nila sa court para patas ang laban," he said.