Gov’t officials protecting two drug suspects – PIB

Cebu Provincial Intelligence Branch is investigating reports that government officials were protecting the illegal drug activities of two persons who tried to shoot police during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Bato, Badian town last Tuesday.

Although he did not mention names, PIB chief Superintendent Rodolfo Albotra said they received reports that elected government officials were protecting cousins Junard and Joebert Calabroso in their illegal drug trade.

Albotra said that once they can establish a proof, they will file appropriate charges against the involved officials.

Now that the election is approaching, Albotra said they are also validating reports on narcopolitics, although investigation is currently focused on the cousins.

Junard was shot dead after he tried to resist police arrest while Joebert was wounded in the operation.

Information on the cousins’ illegal drug activities was given by the Cebu Provincial Antidrug Abuse Council (CPADAC), said Albotra.

According to the PIB chief, Junard was a known toughie in his place and later engaged in selling illegal drugs.

The suspect allegedly built a shanty where his clients would sniff and distribute shabu.

Junard’s clients, Albotra added, were not only limited to local residents but also include tourists coming in and out of Badian, a tourist destination.

During the buy-bust operation, Junard allegedly resisted and pulled out a .45 cal. pistol but a PIB operative wrestled with him. Junard was eventually shot and hit to the chest.

Upon seeing what happened to his cousin, Joebert also pulled out a .378 cal. revolver but was also shot by one of the police operatives.

Junard was declared dead on arrival at Badian District Hospital while Joebert, who was seriously wounded, was brought to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

Rolando Mayonila, 56; Renato Quiñanola, 46; and his nephew Elmer Sisneros, 43, who were around during the buy-bust operation, were also arrested.

While Mayonila denied the charges, saying he was working on a fence at the time and was not involved in the illegal drug activities, Quiñanola and Sisneros admitted to trying to buy drugs.

Sisneros said that his uncle Quiñanola celebrated his birthday last Tuesday and asked him to accompany him to buy shabu, but policemen came and arrested them.

The three suspects will be charged for possession of drug paraphernalia while Joebert, should he survive, will be facing a charge for possession of illegal drugs, said Albotra.