P3.5-M ‘SHABU’ SEIZED: P200,000 reward for drug leader’s arrest

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), offered a P200,000 cash reward for informants who could lead authorities to Silay City’s top drug personality Michael Divinagracia who has been on the loose for some time.

Baleros made the pronouncement after the arrest of five persons in the P3.5-million drug bust of Talisay City Police Station led by Police Major Jigger Gimeno, and Silay City Police Station led by Police Major Rollie Pondevilla at Menlo Village Phase 3, Barangay Zone 10, Talisay City last Wednesday.

The suspects told Baleros that they got the contraband from Divinagracia. The items were supposed to be delivered to different areas in both cities, but they were busted.

The recovered items were brought to the Provincial Crime Laboratory for examination.

Baleros warned Divinagracia that the police will continue to hunt him down.

“Bahala ka na sa sarili mo kung saan ka namin hahanapin. Pero kahit pagkagaling-galing ng pagtatago, makikita ka din. Makukuha ka rin namin,” he warned.

The buy-bust operation, which was supposed to happen in Silay City, was transferred to Talisay City after the two female targets allegedly opted to hold the transaction at their apartment.

Arrested were the target subjects, Ma. Delmar Parohinog, 22, and Joahnna Lusabia, 20, and their three male companions – Homark Orquia, 27, Rommel Ferrer, 24, and Jason Parohinog, 19 – all residents of Barangay Mambulac, Silay City.

The Delmar and Lusabia were on the drugs watch list of the Directorate for Intelligence (DI) and considered as alleged level three high value target drug personalities. Their three companions were alleged street level targets in Silay City, police report indicated.

Baleros said that policemen had difficulty catching the targets as they usually transferred from one place to another.

Meanwhile, he commended the policemen for the successful buy-bust operation and the arrest of five suspects.

He said the recent accomplishment will at least lessen the supply of drugs in the province. He urged the people to help the police in their drug war to put an end to the problem in the community, as he emphasized the significant role of the barangay officials and the residents in crime prevention measures.

Silay City Mayor Mark Golez also warned Divinagracia that authorities will catch up with him no matter how and where he hides.

Golez said he was saddened that his young constituents were already influenced by illegal drugs, but he stressed that they have to face the consequences of their actions since nobody is above the law. “They must be ready to defend themselves,” the mayor said.

He said he will leave the work to the police, and will provide them logistical support to aid them in their monitoring and other police operations.

Also, he congratulated the policemen for their hard work to apprehend the suspects, which he claimed is in consonance to the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to end the drug menace in the country.

He said the city government will continue to educate the people about the ill effects of illegal drugs so that people may be aware of its consequences.