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Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Cops ‘escorted drug pusher’
By Garry Cabotaje and Jovy S. Taghoy
CEBU CITY -- Government agents arrested a Cebu City policeman for allegedly escorting a suspected drug peddler in a buy-bust on N. Bacalso Ave., Cebu City last Sunday afternoon.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 identified the arrested suspects as PO2 Manolito Anore, a member of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Security and Service Group, and Marlon Sabayton, the suspected drug pusher, of Sitio Lakaron, Barangay Pitalo, San Fernando, Cebu.
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Before joining the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 1999, Anore was a former police beat reporter of a local radio station in Cebu City.
He and Sabayton already wore a “PDEA detainee” shirt when they were presented to the media in a press conference at the agency’s headquarters on R.R. Landon St., Cebu City around 11 a.m. Monday.
Sabayton reportedly figured in the CCPO’s drug watch list and is considered “very active” in the illegal drug trade.
Another policeman, whom the PDEA 7 identified as PO1 Joseph Dagatan, was seen during the buy-bust.
The PDEA 7 report, however, said Dagatan, a member of the CCPO Mobile Patrol Group (MPG), “eluded arrest.”
Radio reports said MPG Chief Arnel Banzon already directed Dagatan to report to his office and turn over his service firearm and badge.
The buy-bust took place in front of the Land Transportation Office around 1:45 p.m. It resulted in the seizure of five plastic packs of white crystalline powder believed to be shabu.
The value of the seized items, totaling 16 grams, was pegged at P32,000.
The PDEA 7 said three of these confiscated items were medium-sized heat-sealed transparent plastic packs for delivery to a police poseur-buyer.
When frisked, the arresting officers, headed by SPO2 Ramil Villaluz, allegedly found one small pack in the pocket of Sabayton and another plastic pack in the wallet of Anore.
The confiscated articles were submitted to the PNP laboratory for analyses, while the two suspects were subjected to a drug test.
In an interview with reporters, Anore denied engaging in the illegal drug trade and escorting Sabayton.
He also denied ownership of the one deck of suspected shabu found in his wallet.
Anore said he happened to be on board the jeep of Sabayton because he hitchhiked from the southern town of San Fernando to Cebu City.
He said he went to San Fernando to prepare a complaint against four armed men he had engaged in a shootout last Saturday night.
In going back to Cebu City, Sabayton’s brother-in-law, who is reportedly Anore’s friend, offered the ride since Sabayton was also heading the same way.
“I did not ask about Sabayton anymore because I was only offered a ride. I do not know what kind of person Sabayton is,” Anore said.
When they reached the neighboring town of Naga, Anore said they passed by PO1 Dagatan, who also took a ride in Sabayton’s jeep.
Anore and Dagatan used to be partners at the Mobile Patrol Group, before the latter was transferred to the Security and Service Group (SSG).
Anore said no buy-bust occurred. When they reached N. Bacalso Ave., they were surprised when a vehicle blocked them and several armed men later identified as PDEA operatives pounced on them.
“It feels really bad that our own colleagues were the ones who made us look corrupt,” he said, referring to the deck of shabu allegedly seized from his possession.
When asked by reporters if he uses shabu, Anore declined to comment.
Anore, who once worked as a police beat reporter of a radio network before joining the police service in 1999, however, said he is confident that the drug test performed on him would turn out negative.
Police Regional Office 7 Director Silverio Alarcio Jr., when sought for comment, told Sun.Star Cebu Monday, “I’m sure, we have a very professional city director who will take action (on the matter).”
MPG Chief Banzon said he is waiting for the PDEA to file appropriate charges against Dagatan so that he could also take appropriate action against the latter.
Banzon said he already prepared a recommendation to Acting CCPO Director Patrocinio Comendador, who was on leave Monday, for Dagatan’s relief and transfer to SSG.
Dagatan showed up at the PNP 7 Crime Laboratory Monday morning and submitted himself to a drug test.
Banzon said based on the report relayed to him by Dagatan’s beat supervisor, the policeman denied the allegation.
Banzon said Dagatan, who is detailed as a night shift policeman, reported for work last Sunday night.
Senior Inspector George Ylanan, newly designated chief of the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau, said his office will conduct an administrative investigation on Dagatan.
Once a complaint will be filed against Dagatan, Ylanan said, the policeman will be placed under camp restriction and his badge will be confiscated. (Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Baguio. (April 24, 2007 issue)
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