SHABU SEIZED. Some PHP3.5 million worth of suspected shabu was seized by police operatives in a residence at Menlo Village, Talisay City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday afternoon (Jan. 22, 2020). Five suspects, including two high-value targets, were arrested. (Photo courtesy of Talisay City Police Station)
BACOLOD CITY -- Five suspects were arrested by the police in a buy-bust that yielded an estimated PHP3.5 million worth of suspected shabu in a residence at Menlo Village, Talisay City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday afternoon.
The police report identified the suspects as Maria Delmar Parohinog, 22; Jason Parohinog, 19; Joahnna Lusabia, 20; Homark Orquia, 27; and Rommel Ferrer, 24.
The suspects, all residents of Barangay Mambulac in neighboring Silay City, are believed to be members of the Michael Divinagracia drug group.
The female Parohinog and Lusabia are considered high-value targets while the three others are listed as street-level targets.
Col. Romeo Baleros, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, said the intelligence report initially indicated that the buy-bust would take place in Silay, however, the targets eventually decided to complete the transaction in Talisay.
Baleros, who witnessed the arrest of the five, said the suspects have been renting the house for only a week since they would usually move from one place to another in the course of their illegal drug transactions.
The place in Talisay served as the “bagsakan” or delivery area of the Divinagracia group’s drug supply, he added.
During the operation around 4:30 p.m., Maria Delmar Parohinog sold PHP4,500 worth of shabu to an undercover policeman.
Operatives also seized the same prohibited substance placed in two plastic sachets sealed with duct tape and in nine heat-sealed sachets.
Jason, Orquia, and Ferrer also yielded a sachet of shabu each.
Baleros said the successful operation was a result of the coordination between the Silay and Talisay police stations led by Maj. Rollie Pondevilla and Maj. Jigger Gimeno, respectively.
“I congratulate the operatives. Talisay and Silay are the top contributors in the drug accomplishment of Negros Occidental,” he added.
Baleros said Divinagracia is “highly-mobile” and would just have dropped by in Talisay and then left after receiving the drug supply.
He warned Divinagracia that although he continues to evade arrest, the police will eventually get him. (PNA)
