A MAN who was previously arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA 7) in Barangay Mantalongon, a mountainous barangay in Dalaguete, was found dead in their custody.
The suspect, 39-year-old Juan Amarilla Cantilla, was discovered lifeless at around 2:20 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the PDEA 7 custodial facility in Sitio Sudlon, Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.
Cantilla was arrested on March 19, 2025, with 80 grams of substance believed to be shabu valued at P544,000, along with buy-bust money and his cellphone.
According to a statement from PDEA 7, an inmate in their custodial facility alerted a prison guard about Cantilla's condition.
The guard immediately performed first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to try to revive him, and medical assistance was promptly called for.
The incident was captured on CCTV footage installed inside the facility.
Leia Alcantara, the information officer for PDEA 7, confirmed that the event was reported to the Mabolo Police Station 4 of the Cebu City Police Office.
Personnel from the PNP Regional Forensic Unit 7 later confirmed Cantilla's death.
Investigators found a farewell note from Cantilla addressed to his family in Dalaguete, which has already been forwarded to the PNP Forensic Unit.
His body was taken to a funeral parlor in Mandaue City and will undergo an autopsy to determine if there was any foul play involved in his death.
PDEA 7 personnel have met with the suspect's family and assured them of their cooperation in the ongoing police investigation. (AYB)