Cebu singer Jay-r Siaboc (Photo from Mr. Siaboc’s Facebook page)
CEBU CITY — Cebuano singer Jay-r Siaboc, who was runner-up in the Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA), surrendered to the police in Toledo City, western Cebu, out of fear for his life after rumors spread on social media that he was a drug pusher.
Siaboc, 29, told Supt. Samuel Mina Jr., acting chief of the Toledo City Police Office (TCPO) that he also wanted to change his life for the better.
The performer was one of the 528 drug suspects who surrendered to the police in Toledo on Tuesday.
Of the number, 100 were drug pushers and 428 were drug users including Siaboc, a government employee and two minors aged 17.
Mina said that Siaboc was accompanied by his wife and his cousin when he went to his office about 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
He said he talked to Siaboc who admitted using drugs with his wife but denied that he was selling the illegal substance.
“He confessed that he’s been using drugs but not a peddler,” Mina told the Philippine Daily Inquirer over the phone.
Siaboc was subjected to tactical interrogation where he told the police that he got his supply from his friends in Barangay Awihao whom he did not name.
Siaboc also signed a waiver and would be monitored by the police.
Two hundred more drug suspects were being processed at the Barba Sports Complex on Wednesday since the TCPO could not accommodate a large number of people.
PO2 Joselito Genon of the Toledo police said they recommended that Siaboc undergo drug rehabilitation.
“Like other surrenderees, Jay-R fears for his life and that he wanted to be a changed man. He should undergo rehab,” the policeman said.
Based on the records of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), a total of 25,219 self-confessed drug users and 3,013 drug pushers surrendered to the different police stations in the region since the Oplan Tokhang was implemented last July 1.
Tokhang is short for “toktok-hangyo,” a nationwide campaign of the Philippine National Police to warn illegal drug peddlers and users that law enforcers are going after them if they don’t decide to give up the trade.
The Bohol Provincial Police Office recorded the most number of drug users and pushers who surrendered, with 14,782, followed by the Cebu Provincial Police Office with 9,157.
Some 2,636 surrendered to the different police stations in Cebu City, 766 in Lapu-Lapu City, and 652 in Mandaue City, and 239 in Siquijor.
Those who surrendered but had no pending arrest warrants were allowed to go home after signing a document promising never to be involved in the drug trade again, either as a user or peddler. They will be under surveillance by the police.
“So far, we’re successful in our Oplan Tokhang in the region. But I expect more drug users and pushers to surrender in the coming days. Tuloy-tuloy na ito,” said Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, PRO-7 director.
Born Eduardo Siaboc, Jr., the young actor and singer started as a student of the Pinoy Dream Academy, a singing competition on ABS-CBN.
He became a first runner-up next to Yeng Constantino who was proclaimed the “Grand Star Winner” of the first season in 2006.
The youngest of five siblings, Siaboc lived in Manila with his uncle who introduced him to the band scene.
He pursued his dream and became the vocalist of Scrambled Eggs.
Siaboc first appeared on television on Your Song and then in the prime time TV series Pangarap na Bituin. He also starred in the action TV series Palos.
The Cebuano performer also left some music hits as “Hiling” (Request) and “May Tama Rin Ako.” SFM