VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental (PIA)--An anti-illegal drug operation conducted in the municipality of Villanueva last August 29 resulted in the arrest of a high-valued suspect and seizure of seventy grams of suspected illegal drugs believed to be shabu with a street value of P476,000.

The joint operation between the Philippine National Police (PNP) Villanueva Municipal Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-10 resulted in the arrest of Eurem Alejaga Halaran alias Bongkoy a resident of Zone 2, Poblacion, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental and John Paul Taban Abejo, a resident of Sitio Silao, Barangay Poblacion 1, Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

During the buy-bust operation, the operatives recovered from Abejo one plastic container with a green cap that contained eleven pieces of heat-sealed elongated transparent plastic sachet containing a white crystalline substance believed as shabu. 

Meanwhile, recovered from the belt bag of Halaran are one Winston cigarette pack containing seven assorted sizes of a heat-sealed elongated transparent plastic sachet containing a white crystalline substance believed as shabu, a digital weighing scale, Huawei cellphone, two pieces of disposable lighter, improvised pipe, and the marked money of one thousand pesos.

Villanueva police said the operation's main target was Eurem Halaran alias Bongkoy since the suspect had a prior record with the same crime and had been captured many times.

Similarly, John Paul Abejo had been under surveillance for three months. Police operatives reported that Abejo's trusted aide was apprehended prior to Abejo's arrest.

With the successful operations, PNP Misamis Oriental Provincial Director PCOL Cholijun P. Caduyac commends the Municipal Police Head of Villanueva, PMaj Renz Marion Serrano and his team for apprehending the suspects.

“I am serious sa akoang mandato sa kapulisan sa Misamis Oriental ug akoang commitment sa mga Misamisnons na akoa paningkamutan uban sa akoang mga kauban na kapulisan na mapaubos sa supply sa mga droga pinaagi sa pagpangdakop ug kinhanglan adunay drastic nga aksyon ang Misamis Oriental [kabahin niini],” Caduyac said.

(I am dedicated to my mandate to the police force of Misamis Oriental and my commitment to fellow Misamisnons. Together with my fellow police officers, we will diligently work to reduce the drug supply through arrests, and we are prepared to take the necessary and decisive actions to achieve this goal).

The warning comes after the Police Director came to know that the Municipal Police Chief was injured as the result of one of the suspects resisting arrest during the said operations.

Caduyac reiterated that as long as the police do their job by the proper rules, regulations, and mandates given to them, he will never hesitate to support them and the operations they are conducting against illegal drugs or any criminality.

PNP Misamis Oriental Provincial Office urges those engaged in illegal drugs to stop and surrender to the police. Law enforcers also urged the public to report illegal activities or crimes in their areas. They assure all Misamisnons that they will stay true to their oath to serve and protect. (JAKA/PIA10)