ORMOC CITY – Police authorities seized PHP1,800,000.00 worth of suspected shabu from a construction worker and a Regional Priority Target List (RPTL) during a joint buy-bust operation in Purok 1, Barangay Linao, Ormoc City, around 4:24 in the afternoon on Thursday (July 9).
The suspects were identified as Joel Fabian Villanala, 27, single, rank number 1 RPTL, and Volter Calumpag, 34, single, a construction worker, both residents of the said barangay.
Accordingly, the operatives caught the suspects selling a one-piece heat-sealed transparent plastic drinking straw containing suspected shabu to a designated poseur buyer during this city’s police operation in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). After the transaction, the police declared their arrest, informed them of the reason for said arrest, and read to the suspects their constitutional rights.
In front of the barangay official and media witnesses, Villanala and Calumpag were handcuffed, and another 65 large packages of suspected shabu weighing 180.93 grams worth PHP1,800,000.00 and the buy-bust money were seized.
The said suspects are now in the custody of Police Station-4 and would face charges of violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The said joint operation was implemented by the personnel of Ormoc City Police Station-3 headed by Police Major Omar Roel Cartalla, Police Station-4 headed by PMaj. Angelo Sibunga, the OCPO-Criminal and Investigation Unit (CIU) led by Police Lieutenant Colonel (PLtCol.) Leonides Sydiongco, theCity Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) led by PLt. Arwin Perez, and the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 8 led by PLt Mariano Cerro, Jr., under the supervision of OCPO officer-in-charge (OIC) PCol. Reydante Ariza. By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail July 8-14, 2024 issue)
