Security vs. entry of drugs,
theft tightened for Panaad

Members of the Bacolod City and Negros Occidental police offices, the Regional Mobile Group, and the Philippine Army, will be deployed during the Panaad Festival that starts today at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod.

The units will secure the festivities, particularly against threats of illegal drugs and thefts, BCPO director, Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar, said yesterday.

Quebrar said they will be on guard against prohibited substances such as shabu and marijuana during the eight-day celebration.

Drug dealers usually take the opportunity to peddle their products during occasions such as the Panaad because of the many potential buyers among those who visit the city, he added.

Quebrar also said that they will also be on the lookout for thieves who also typically strike in crowds.

He warned the public to secure their wallets, bags, vehicles, cellphones, and jewelries, as pickpockets and snatchers are likely to mingle with revelers during the festivities.

He also called on motorists to cooperate with traffic enforcers who will guide them through some route changes, particularly near the area.*PP

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4 nabbed in stake-out

Four persons are now facing drug charges after being arrested in an alleged shabu-sniffing session in Purok Cereza, Bacolod City at about 9:25 a.m. Thursday, the police said yesterday.

Jenjoe Tampos, 37, of Saturn Village, Brgy. Handumanan, Sebastian Lo, 57, of Purok Cereza 2, Brgy. 27, Ronilo Gasataya, 46, of Luzuriaga-Mabini streets, Brgy. 30, and Antonio Chan, 37, of Purok Chico, Brgy. 28, all in Bacolod, were nabbed by Drug Enforcement Unit members in a stake-out operation.

PO3 Rolando Malate, one of the arresting officers, said yesterday they will file cases for violation of Sections 11, 12, and 15 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 9165 against the suspects at the City Prosecutor’s Office.

Tampos, Lo, Gasataya, and Chan were allegedly apprehended while sniffing suspected shabu, PO3 Claro Gordoncillo Jr. said in his report.

Confiscated from the four were two improvised tooters with traces of suspected shabu, a small sachet with the banned substance, a disposable lighter, and pieces of empty plastic sachets, police records showed.

Tampos, who was the only one who talked to the DAILY STAR at the DEU detention cell yesterday, denied involvement in the alleged shabu-sniffing session. He said he just happened to be near the house when the operatives raided it.

He said, however, that he knew of the illegal activities in the area even before the police operation.

On Tuesday, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and National Bureau of Investigation members confiscated 18 sachets of suspected marijuana in a raid at the house of Fidel Jemena, alias Panoy, 44, at Ciocon Road, Brgy. 26, Bacolod.

The PDEA said it will file drug charges against Jemena, who escaped.

The Negros Occidental and Bacolod City police offices have warned the public that volumes of illegal substances such as shabu and marijuana are expected to circulate in Bacolod, during the Pana-ad sa Negros celebrations which opens today.*PP

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