Another batch of drug personalities surrender in Zambo Sur town

PAGADIAN CTY, Zamboanga del Sur, June 28 (PNA) -- Another batch of drug personalities have surrendered to the authorities in the nearby municipality of Dumingag in this province, the police reported Tuesday.

Chief Insp. Edgar Hinoctan, Dumingag police chief, told the Philippines News Agency that the group surrendered on Monday and has pledged to support the anti-drug campaign of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte, who will officially assume office on Thursday, announced that there will be relentless anti-drug campaign under his administration.

Hinoctan said the municipal government of Dumingag and barangay officials as well as the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) facilitated the surrender of the group.

He said the surrenderees, who came from the different barangays, are known either as drug pushers and users.

He said they are set to undergo rehabilitation and would receive livelihood assistance from the local government to keep them away from drugs.

The group who surrendered on Monday was the second batch of drug personalities to surrender to the government in Dumingag.

The first group, consisting also of 10 people, surrendered on Thursday last week. (PNA)
BNB/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION

10 ‘drug personalities’ surrender in Zambo Sur town

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, June 24 -– Ten “drug personalities,” including two teachers and two students, have surrendered to the authorities late Thursday in the nearby municipality of Dumingag, this province.

"Drug personalities" is being referred by the police authorities to either pushers or users of prohibited drugs.

Chief Insp. Edgar Hinoctan, Dumingag police chief, identified those who surrendered as the following: Virnie Lascuña, 35 and Rogelio Sarueda Jr., 43, both teachers; Roneil Managing, 17 and Jolieto Somolong, 14, both students; Vernie Lou Espinosa, 34; Bernie Baut, 27; Elmer Cag-ong, 36; Martchan Ornopia, 31; Jumar Dapanas, 31; and, Rico James Quilog, 31, all farmers.

Hinoctan said the surrender of the suspects was facilitated by their respective barangay chairpersons.

He said the suspects are from the following barangays: three, San Pedro; three, Licabang; two, Marangan; one, Canibongan; and, one, Upper Timonan.

He said the suspects have surrendered out of fear since they had been hearing in the news there is ongoing massive crackdown and were informed they will undergo rehabilitation and given livelihood assistance.

He said the suspects have vowed to fully support the campaign of the government against the proliferation of prohibited drugs.
 

Zambo Norte police rescue 5 human trafficking victims; arrest 2 suspects

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, June 24 (PNA) -- Police have rescued five human trafficking victims and arrested two people, including a policeman, in a law enforcement operation in the nearby province of Zamboanga del Norte.

Senior Supt. Edwin Wagan, Zamboanga del Norte police director, identified the arrested suspects as PO2 Joel Belleno and his cohort, Amelito Jake, 40.

Belleno is assigned in the municipality of Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte.

Wagan said Belleno and Jake were arrested in a raid around 9 p.m. Wednesday in Barangay Tuburan, Katipunan town.

He said the raid was carried out by virtue of a warrant issued by a Dipolog City court against the suspects for violation of Section 3, Paragraph A, H and J of Republic Act 10364 otherwise known as the Expanded Anti-trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

He did not release the identities of the rescued victims except to say they are all women.

They were placed under the care of the Women and Children Protection Desk of the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office.

Wagan said the raiding team has recovered at the suspects’ hideout five laptop computers, cellular phone, a Sports Utility Vehicle, a motorcycle and other accessories.

Wagan said appropriate charges are set to be filed against the suspects, who were detained at the provincial police headquarters.

Wagan said he will not tolerate any wrongdoings committed by policemen under his command. (PNA)
JMC/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION