Manhunt launched against ‘pusher’ who eluded arrest

By: Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz– Authorities here launched a manhunt operation against a drug suspect who eluded a drug buy-bust operation Sunday noon at Sitio Quarry in Brgy. Tanza here.

According to Police Lt. Col. Julius Balano, chief of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Capiz Police Provincial Office, the subject of the manhunt is Frankie Bertuldo, 29, of Pontevedra, Capiz but temporarily residing in Tanza here.

Bertuldo fled after sensing that he was dealing with a police officer.

The suspect and the police poseur-buyer even grappled for the suspected shabu and the marked money.

Bertuldo was able to grab four big sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P260,000.

The suspect disappeared in a forested area of Tanza.

Balano said it took one week of monitoring and surveillance before the buy bust operation was conducted.

Bertuldo was a former boxer and athlete, which explained why he overpowered the undercover cop.

Before Sunday’s botched operation, Bertuldo was arrested and charged for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 but he was released from detention through plea bargaining.