By Zaldy Comanda
CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – Thirteen drug suspects, including two high-value individuals (HVIs) were arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by joint police operatives of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-Cordillera).
PRO-Cordillera Director Brig. Gen. R'win Pagkalinawan identified the arrested HVIs as Jariel Dayawen, 26, who was apprehended in Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet, and another HVI listed in the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) list as Jeffrey Damian, 35, who was caught in Lower Kitma, Bakakeng Central, Baguio City.
In other operations, four drug pushers were caught on May 25 in Purok Mangga, Loakan Proper in Baguio City. They were identified as Aldrin Inutan Racho, Michael Manalo Galano and Oliver Buenavista Signey.
In Ongasan Road, Loakan Proper, Baguio City, Steve Laurent Noble was also nabbed.
Other suspects apprehended were Jefferson Garcia, 24; and Julius L. Estrada, 23, who were arrested in Km. 6, Betag, La Trinidad, Benguet, while Jefferson Sta Ana Lim, Jerry Sta Ana Lim, Jan Mikhail Yumang Dela Cruz and Charles Hizon Valente were arrested on Ferguson Road, Guisad Central, Baguio City.
Hyner Cornel Leung, 33, a migrant worker, of Apugan, Irisan, Baguio City was arrested after he was caught in possession of assorted drug paraphernalia along Pacdal Circle, Baguio City on board a taxi which tried to pass by a Philippine National Police (PNP) Quarantine Check Point.
All the accused were placed under police custody and charges for violation of Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 were filed against them in court.