Ex-army, companion yield P408K worth of ‘shabu’, gun

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A former member of the Philippine Army, and his companion were arrested for the confiscation of P408,000 worth of suspected shabu in a drug buy-bust at Barangay 6, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental last Tuesday.

Police Lieutenant Jomel Salarda, deputy police chief of Kabankalan City Police Station, identified the subject as Rolly Dofeliz, 52, while his companion was identified as Edmar Sta.Ana, 38, both residents of the said village.

Salarda said Dofeliz was arrested in a gun raid in February 2021, where he also allegedly yielded a sachet of suspected shabu. But he was released from detention after posting bail.

Salarda said that Dofeliz was enlisted in the Army in 1988 but went absent without official leave (AWOL) in 1993. He then went to Saudi Arabia where he worked as a waiter and a worker in a construction firm for five years.

“Possible pag balik niya diri basi nag engage siya sa illegal drugs kay wala na obra,” Salarda said.

Salarda said they placed Dofeliz under surveillance for a few weeks before conducting the drug bust.

Salarda said that both suspects reportedly transacted with a police agent during the operation.

Sta. Ana tried to escape by locking the door, but the police operatives managed to open the door and cornered them inside the house.

Authorities seized 60 grams of suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, and the P500 marked money.

Police also recovered from Dofeliz’s house a .357 caliber revolver with six live caliber .38 ammunition, and a holster.

Salarda said that Dofeliz is a street level target while Sta. Ana is a newly-identified drug personality.

Some of the recovered contraband was supposed to be due for repacking.

Salarda said that both suspects will be facing drug charges while Dofeliz will be charged for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.