CCPO leads ‘biggest’ raid in years, seizes P500T drugs

THE police seized almost P500,000 worth of suspected shabu and dried marijuana in what they call the force’s biggest action in recent years against criminal groups operating in the hinterland barangays of Alcoy and Dalaguete towns.

Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, director of Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), said the criminal groups dealt a crippling blow in the simultaneous raids that were planned for one month and involved more than 100 policemen.

“Some were able to escape, but these groups are now definitely crippled. The people who have been subjected to their terror are now emancipated from fear,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.

Three of the suspects, including a fu- gitive who was also listed as one of Cebu Province’s most wanted persons, were killed while 10 others, including barangay officials, got arrested.

Consiscated

The police confiscated 14 medium packs and three large packs of white crystalline substance believed to be shabu. It weighed 40.5 grams, which is worth P477,900. This is based on the value set by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) that values each gram at P11,800.

The police team was composed of CPPO’s Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB), Dalaguete Police Station, Alloy Police Station, Boljoon Police Station, Police Regional Office (PRO) 7’s Regional Intelligence Division (RID), Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) and Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (RAIDSOTG).

Gillamac said the assorted high-powered and low-powered firearms found from the suspects will also be subjected to a ballistic examination by the PNP Regional Crime Laboratory Office 7 to determine if these have been used in other crimes.

Shot

When interviewed by Sun.Star Cebu last Saturday, Rosalina Gañolon lamented that the police fired at her son even if he yielded himself to authorities.

“Ila pa gyud gipusil mao nang namatay (They shot him dead),” she said, referring to her son Jojo Gañolon, who escaped from a court hearing three years ago and was allegedly engaged in drug peddling.

Gillamac, when sought for comment yesterday, denied this allegation, citing they followed the rules of engagement.

“Considering these people were armed and dangerous, our police have also to protect themselves,” he added.

Gillamac directed all police station chiefs to monitor barangay officials in the remote villages.

“Nakita nato nga naa’y uban nga magginoo-ginoo sa ilang mga barangay (We see that some play god in their barangay),” he said.

Among the arrested persons last Saturday were barangay officials, whom Gillamac described as “protector and financiers” of criminal groups.