THE Cebu Provincial Police Office’s (CCPO) recent revelation that the illegal drug trade in Talisay City continues to thrive despite their successive operations because some drug personalities are being protected by local officials does not sit well with some officials of the first district.
In a statement, First District Rep. Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas said this has cast Talisay City officials in a bad light.
“My only plea is to take caution in pinning government officials in general, pending validation of their alleged involvement in all these illegal activities. This way, we cannot put all government officials in a cloud of doubt,” Gullas said.
Talisay City Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, for his part, urged the police to name these officials to clear those who are innocent.
Bucao said the CPPO statement was “sweeping and unfair,” as it didn’t specify whether it was referring to barangay or city officials.
He said their relatives have been affected by the report, which generalizes that all Talisay City officials are involved in illegal activities.
“Kung naa moy gidudahan nga opisyal, panganli nalang para katong mga nagtinarong dili sad mapagan. Ug gidudahan man gane, mas maayo unta og i-validate kung tinood ba nga involved siya ana (Name these alleged drug protectors so those officials who are clean can clear their names. It’s also better if police validate their allegations to make sure these officials are involved in the illegal drug trade),” Bucao told SunStar Cebu.
Meanwhile, Commission on Human Rights 7 Director Arvin Odron said they will investigate police operations in Talisay City since last week, which have resulted in the deaths of seven suspected drug personalities.
Odron said they want to know if these police operations followed the rules of engagement.
“Regardless of its nature and the perpetrator who commits it, killing is nevertheless punished as a crime in a civilized society and there is no separate standard calling for accountability should the perpetrator be a civilian but none if it is committed by State actors as wrongfully understood,” Odron said.
Seven people were killed in city in the last seven days.
Last Friday, Nov. 23, Arnel Hernani, Ramonito Maneja and a certain Joseph were killed during a shootout with police in Barangay Lawaan 3.
One of them had allegedly shot and injured PO1 Jaylord Joseph Taping hours earlier.
The next day, Susano Labrador, Vincent Ceballos and Warlito Tecson were killed when a shootout occurred during a buy-bust in Barangay Maghaway.
Police claimed that the three men fired first, but their relatives denied a shootout occurred.
On Tuesday, Nov. 27, a suspected drug pusher was killed while four of his companions were arrested after a buy-bust conducted by the Provincial Intelligence Branch in Barangay Jaclupan.
Police claimed they had to return fire after Junie Macaraya shot them first. (JKV)