8 suspected drug pushers arrested in Cebu—PDEA

MANILA, Philippines—Eight suspected drug pushers were arrested in Cebu with an estimated P400,000 worth of shabu confiscated, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Tuesday.

PDEA Director General Jose Gutierrez, Jr. identified the suspects, which were apprehended in separate operations, as Brix Bacalso, 18, Jayson Delit, 27, Richard Alfante, 23, Renal Adlawan, 24, Joveno Rendal, 49, Arnilio Rendal, 45, Dennis Cantiveros, 41, and Mario Bunghanoy, 35.

Another suspect, Elmer Gasalatan, a drug den owner that has been on the PDEA watchlist, was able to escape from the PDEA agents during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tangke, Talisay City, Gutierrez said in the statement.

Bacalso, suspected cohort of Gasalatan, was arrested along with Delit, Alfante, Adlawan. Twenty-six sachets of shabu estimated to weigh 60 grams and worth P400,000 were confiscated along with drug paraphernalia.

In a separate operation in Barangay Tabuan, San Fernando, Joveno Rendal and Cantiveros were arrested after selling shabu to a PDEA undercover agent, Gutierrez said.

Confiscated from the suspects were 21 more plastic sachets of shabu as well as drug paraphernalia.

Arnilio Rendal and Bunghanoy were arrested after being caught red handed with two plastic sachets of shabu, Gutierrez said.

Appropriate cases for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 were being prepared to be filed against the suspects.