GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A series of anti-drug operations in the region had resulted in the arrest of five drug suspects and recovery of more than PHP20,000 worth of prohibited substance, police said.
Chief Insp. Aldrin Gonzales, speaking for police in Region 12, said the city police, in partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-12) and regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit jointly conducted the series of operation.
On Sunday, lawmen pounced on Michael Arellano Vergara and Jevron Jawile Dayalo for peddling illegal drugs.
Gonzales said Vergara, 29, a passenger van dispatcher and resident of Purok Casa, Block 2, Barangay Zone 3, Koronadal City, was arrested in his home while selling illegal drugs. Seized from him were five sachets of suspected shabu worth PHP11,800, drug paraphernalia and marked money.
In separate police anti-drug operation, law enforcers arrested Dayalo, 30, a construction worker and a resident of Block 1, Martinez Subdivision, Barangay Zone 4, Koronadal City, inside a KTV Bar in Barangay Zone 1.
Seized from Dayalo were 11 sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride and marked money. The seized illegal drugs were estimated to cost PHP13,800.
Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) have been filed against the suspects.
Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, PRO-12 regional director, lauded the local police for the relentless campaign against illegal drugs in compliance with President Duterte’s directive to eradicate illegal drugs.
Morales said the police are active in acting as poseur buyers because drug users have slowly diminishing since many of them have reformed under the government rehabilitation program.
In Kabacan, North Cotabato, police also arrested three drug peddlers, including two women, during buy bust operation in Barangay Osias on Sunday afternoon.
Gonzales identified the suspects as Rosemarie Julian Catalan, 26, of Barangay Osias, Kabacan, North Cotabato; Analou Don Mocan, 20, of Bukay Pait Tangtanan, South Cotabato; and Alfredo Lila Derije Jr, 45, of Barangay Inas, Mlang, North Cotabato.
The Kabacan police conducted the raid inside GMA Inn and Lodging House in Barangay Poblacion after the trio peddled drugs to a police poseur buyer. They have been charged for violating RA 9165. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
