QCPD confirms killing of top Cebu drug lord

Photo from QCPD

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has confirmed reports that Cebu drug lord Franz Sabalones was shot dead along Barangay South Triangle in Quezon City early on Maundy Thursday.

QCPD’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit said Sabalones was initially identified as Jerome Cabilao from Calle Zaragosa Catillo, Talon Dos in Las Piñas City, based from several identification cards recovered from his wallet.

Also recovered from the scene include a fired cartridge case of unknown firearm, several identification cards under the name Jerome Cabilao and Abdulyakin Tating Limpasan and cellphones.

However, at 11:45 a.m., a beautician who is reportedly the cousin of the slain man confessed to CIDU that he is the real “Joselito Cabilao.” He identified the fatality as Franz Sabalones from San Fernando, Cebu.

QCPD also revealed that 41-year-old Sabalones was with his friends when he was shot in the head after alighting from a sport utility vehicle at 12:08 a.m.

Police have been tracking the whereabouts of the Cebu drug lord, whose illegal activities were traced to San Fernando town in southeastern Cebu since he publicly admitted in 2016 that he was a “big-time” supplier of illegal drugs.

Photo from QCPD

Sabalones revealed that he had given “weekly payola” of P200,000 to a police colonel and other police officers in Cebu.

His alleged hitmen and cohorts were also gunned down in police operations and by unidentified assailants. /ee

READ: Top Cebu drug lord shot dead in Manila

READ: Sabalones surrenders

Photo from QCPD