Police chief orders arrest of Bacolod top drug suspect

CHIEF Superintendent Cesar Binag, director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas, ordered on Monday the immediate arrest of Bacolod City’s high-value target drug personality Ramy Poja.

Binag issued the directive in a press briefing after he led the awarding of outstanding policemen and turnover of motorcycles and guns to the Bacolod City Police Office.

“Naiinip na ako. Kailangang mahuli na siya kaagad," (I’m getting impatient, he (Poja) should be arrested immediately,” Binag said.

On February 25, personnel of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Negros Occidental with operatives from City Drug Enforcement Unit, Regional Intelligence Unit, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bacolod served an arrest warrant against Poja at Sitio Sibucao in Barangay Banago past midnight.

He was able to escape when he allegedly threw two explosives at the operatives which did not explode.

The police were able to arrest two members of Poja's drug group identified as Roberto Rodriguez Jr. of Barangay Mandalagan, and Steve Libo-on, who were inside separate rooms at the house.

Upon sensing the presence of operatives, Rodriguez poured gasoline on his body and torched himself. The operatives then helped him put out the fire.

PDEA-Negros Occidental officer-in-charge agent Grace Cruz and her two agents sustained first degree burns while Rodriguez suffered third degree burns.

Operatives confiscated four sachets of suspected “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride), drug paraphernalia, firearms, ammunition, and explosives.

Rodriguez was placed under hospital arrest while Libo-on is detained at Police Station 3 for filing of charges for illegal possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

The CIDG will file illegal possession of explosives case against Poja.

Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said Monday the relaunching of Oplan Tokhang could reduce the supply of illegal drugs in Bacolod.

Familiaran said the Oplan Tokang of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is a big help to increase the apprehension of drug personalities, including those in Bacolod.

He noted that the PNP has more personnel than PDEA.

“If we can stop the entry of illegal drugs then, we can reduce the users. If there are no illegal drugs, there will be no drug users,” Familiaran added.

Last year, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the PNP to actively support the PDEA in the war on illegal drugs.

On Saturday, at least 2,000 participants joined the “Lakad (Lipunon at Kalampagin Ang Droga) Tokhong” in Bacolod.

They marched from the Bacolod public plaza towards the Provincial Capitol Lagoon for the signing of the pledge of commitment led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Familiaran, with Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr., director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, and Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, officer-in-charge of Bacolod City Police Office.

“It will now depend on the Bacolod police how they will implement the Oplan Tokhang effectively in various barangays (villages),” Familiaran said.

He said the BCPO is also receiving a monthly assistance from the City Government for their operations and office supplies.

Familiaran encouraged the public to cooperate with the police to arrest the drug personalities in the villages.

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