P120T drugs seized from Danao pusher

An estimated P120,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized by Danao Drug Enforcement operatives in a follow-up buy-bust operation in Barangay Maslog, Danao, last Sunday afternoon as part of their Oplan Limpyo.

Jerry Bataluna, 54, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Danao City, was identified by arrested drug personalities as their source of illegal drugs which led Danao operatives to conduct a follow-up operation.

During the operation, Bataluna yielded at least 10 grams of suspected shabu worth P120,000. Also confiscated from the suspect was a motorcycle and P1,300 believed to be drug money.

For 2017, the Danao police headed by Chief Inspector Gerard Ace Pelare established an anti-illegal drug operations called Oplan Limpyo Danao and conducted 210 operations and confiscated almost P22 million worth of illegal drugs, including more than a kilo of suspected shabu and 31,000 fully grown marijuana plants.

A total of 358 drug personalities were arrested, including seven of the 10 high-value targets of Danao City.

Pelare said for 2018 their focus will be the barangay clearing program and the rehabilitation of drug users.

"Fifty percent sa atong 42 barangays are ready for the drug clearing operations. Halos nadakpan na nato tanan nga mga pushers diri. Mga ginagmay nalang nahabilin," he said.

He said seven barangays in Danao were already recommended for drug clearing; Quisol, Langosig, Baliang, Dungga, Nangka, Cambubho, and Licos.

Another goal of the Danao police is also to continue their Oplan Kalinaw where they visit all the 42 barangays of Danao together with Danao City Mayor Ramon Durano III to educate people about the ill effects of illegal drugs on users and society.

Pelare said that through their Oplan Kalinaw they were also able to eradicate marijuana plantations.

Danao police has been receiving awards and commending resolutions from the Cebu provincial government for their consistent anti-illegal drug operations.

Meanwhile, the prosecutor's office has indicted a 22-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy before the court for alleged possession of dangerous drugs after finding probable cause.

Prosecutor Venice Balansag held Ronnel Seraga and a minor, both residents of Barangay Ermita, Cebu City, for trial for a violation of Section 11, Article 2 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

In an inquest proceeding, both of them chose not to undergo preliminary investigation to answer the allegations filed against them. Instead, they manifested to face the charges in court.

Balansag recommended a P200,000 bail for each of them for their temporary liberty.

Police Officer 2 Joseph Alcoseba and two other policemen said while they were conducting a patrol at Sitio Lawis, Barangay Pasil, Cebu City, on December 13, 2017 around 11:20 a.m. they saw the two standing in an alley examining sachets of suspected shabu and arrested them.

One medium transparent plastic sachet and 22 pieces of small transparent plastic sachets of suspected shabu were seized from Seraga while one medium plastic sachet and 19 small transparent plastic sachets of suspected shabu were seized from the minor, the police said. —

Ermida Q. Moradas and Mylen P. Manto/BRP