Quebrar looks into reports
of 2 cops as drug protectors

Bacolod City Police Office director Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar yesterday said that he will look into reports that certain Police Station 2 officers are acting as “protectors” of illegal gambling and drugs activities in Purok Sigay, Brgy. 2, Bacolod City.

Quebrar said that he now has the names of two policemen allegedly “protecting” illegal activities in Purok Sigay by informing drugs and gambling operators about police operations in advance so they could escape.

He, however, refused to name the officers, saying that they are still verifying the reports against them.

Quebrar added, that the policemen will face charges if it can be proved that they are protecting drugs and gambling personalities in the area.

Meanwhile, Police Station 2 commander Senior Inspector Rei Gumban, said that he does not believe the reports and assured that he will also investigate the allegations.

He also said the accusations may have stemmed from a late night raid in Purok Sigay on July 20 where Police Station 2 officers did not participate to avoid hampering the operation because, he said, residents in the area can recognize his men from previous stings.

The raid conducted by BCPO Intelligence and Investigation Branch operatives led to the arrest of 19 persons including six suspects believed to be involved in peddling drugs, police records showed.

Quebrar had earlier tagged barangays 2 and 8 in Bacolod City as areas of concern as most drug-related incidents happen there. A buy-bust operation in Brgy. 2 Monday had led to the arrest of five persons.*PP

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Cadiz PNP nabs stabbing suspect

The Cadiz City Philippine National Police in Negros Occidental arrested recently Renato Lotrago, 42, married, of Brgy. Jerusalem, in Cadiz, for slight physical injuries, a press release from the station said.

Lotrago was apprehended by personnel of the police Warrant and Subpoena Section on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Rolando Ramirez of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities.

Lotrago was linked to the stabbing in February, 1999 of Arnel Lim who was having a drinks at a store in Brgy. Talaba-an, Cadiz, the press release said.

He is now detained at the city police detention cell. The court has set P1,000 as bail for his temporary liberty.

The arresting officers under city police chief, C/Insp. Jefferson Descallar, were SPO3 Zaldy Esperancilla and SPO1 Gregorio Bañadera, the press release added.*

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5 collared for shabu,
rugby use in buy-bust

A jeepney driver, his wife, and three others were arrested by the police for alleged violations of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in Bacolod City, Monday, the Philippine National Police said.

Gilbert Lumawan, 34, and his common-law wife, Cristine Cuenco, 23, both of Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, were arrested by Bacolod City Police Office Drug Enforcement Unit operatives in a buy-bust operation in Purok Kagaykay, Brgy. 2, in the city at about 12 p.m., police records showed.

Also apprehended were Nenita Chavez, 42, of Purok Kagaykay, Martin Lachica, 41, both of Mountain View Subdivision, Brgy. Mandalagan, and Ryan Exaltado, 25, of Purok Magsungay, Brgy. Singcang-Airport, all in Bacolod, police reports said.

Lumawan, a jeepney driver, said they had just gone to Chavez’s house to sell a cellphone when the police arrested them after Chavez allegedly sold a sachet of shabu to an operative.

The police, however, said that Lumawan and the four others were sniffing rugby when Chavez was arrested.*PP

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