DAVAO Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang admitted that the drug suspect who was apprehended during a buy-bust operation on Wednesday, May 8, in Davao City is his son out of wedlock.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, May 9, Dayanghirang was saddened with the arrest of his son Jossone Michael Dayanghirang, 32, who was caught in an anti-illegal drug operation around 4 p.m. on Wednesday in Rm 211 Jasmine Blooms Apartelle, University Avenue, Juna Subdivision, Talomo District, Davao City.
“Isip ginikanan, gikasubo nako ang maong panghitabo. Bisan pa niini, dako ang akong pasalamat nga siya nadakpang buhi aron siya manubag sa iyang binuhatan ug aron aduna pay higayon nga siya mabag-o. Si Jossone wala nagdako sa akong poder, apan tua siya nagdako sa iyang inahan (As a parent, I was saddened by the incident. But even with this, I am grateful that he was caught alive to answer for his actions and that he still has the chance to change. Jossone did not grow up with me, but he grew up with his mother),” the governor said.
It was not the first time that his son was involved in illegal activity, as he said that in previous years, his son was implicated in illegal drug activities and was sent to treatment and rehabilitation center twice.
After he got out from the rehabilitation, he brought Jossone in Manila hoping that he will change with the new environment.
“Apan luyo sa akong mga paningkamot, nagpadayon siya sa iyang bisyo nga dili maayo - hinungdan nga nagkabuwag mi. Gani, sobra unom ka tuig na kami wala nagkita. Bisan pa man nipanaw na sa laing kalibutan ang akong inahan ug amahan, wala gyud siya nagpakita (But even with my efforts, he continued with his vices, that’s why we separated. In fact, we haven’t seen each other for more than six years. Even with the death of my mother and father, he didn’t surface),” he added.
He added, “Tungod kay iya kining binuhatan, anaa naman siya sa saktong pangidaron (32 years old) angay lang nga iyang tubagon ang silot nga angay kaniya subay sa atong balaod (As a consequence for his actions, since he’s already of legal age, he has to face the punishment that is due for him according to our law).”
“We must always take responsibility for our actions,” Dayanghirang said.
Despite this incident, he assured that he will continue his programs in the campaign against illegal drugs.
Earlier, the Department of Interior and Local Government has bestowed Davao Oriental, the only province in the entire country, a Golden Award in terms of programs and accomplishments as far as anti-illegal drugs is concerned.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Colonel Alexander Tagum said on Wednesday that Jossone was arrested, together with one Rojhel Abear Sanchez, alias Ivan, around 4 p.m. on Wednesday during a joint operation by Intelligence Team of Toril Police Station and Intelligence Branch of DCPO.
Authorities recovered drugs weighing approximately 13 grams with an estimated street value of P208,000 and other drug paraphernalia.
“PPPSG Acero who posed as poseur buyer was able to buy one square small-size plastic sachet containing crystalline substance believed to be shabu from Jossone Michael Dayanghirang and subsequently recovered the abovementioned suspected drugs items from his possession and control,” Tagum said.
Sanchez was also caught in the act of sniffing shabu using drug paraphernalia near the drug transaction place.
Meanwhile, suspects and confiscated contraband items are presently under the custody of Police Station 8 while a criminal case is being prepared for filing in court.