15 suspected pushers arrested
Fifteen suspected drug pushers were arrested by operatives of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drug Task Froce (RAIDTF) at past 9 p.m. on Wednesday in Brgy. Tanza Esperanza, Iloilo City.
Main suspect Erlinda de la Cruz, 37, was cornered after selling a sachet of “shabu” worth P300 to one of the men from the RAIDTF led by Supt. Leo Batiles.
When De la Cruz was frisked, two more sachets were found from her possession.
Fourteen others using drugs inside De la Cruz’s residence were also arrested.
They were identified as Ruth Venus Talaban of Bo. Obrero. La Paz; Zandro Balgos of San Juan Boulevard, Molo; Julius Tredez of Tanza Esperanza; Maruani Hidiana of Nabitasan, Lapaz; Soribio Avaño of Sara, Iloilo; Dalmacio Turtio of Calumpang, Molo; Leonardo Golez of Janiuay, Iloilo; Glenn Pionela of Sooc, Arevalo; Ace Vale Segura of North Baluarte, Molo; Ritzon Yunson of Kaingin, La Paz; Junjun Alveso of Boulevard, Molo; Manuel Locsin of Bo. Obrero, La Paz; Estilto Satlin of Boulevard, Molo; and Antonio Maguad of Ma. Clara, Iloilo City.
Tanza Esperanza is one of the three barangays in Iloilo City seriously affected with drugs, along with Bakhaw in Mandurriao and Malipayon, also in City Proper.
Batiles, over-all supervisor of Task Force Bakhaw and Tanza Esperanza, said they planned the operation following reports that De la Cruz is selling drugs and maintaining a drug den in the area.
For her part, De la Cruz denied selling drugs. She said, however, that her husband Edison was arrested last year for the same offense.*
