Authorities arrested 10 notorious drug dealers in a series of police operations in three barangays of Makati City last Tuesday.
The latest apprehension, made by Makati Police Special Drug Enforcement Unit, brings to 186 the total number of suspects arrested involving drugs from May 10 to July 26 this year.
Mayor Abigail Binay commended the Makati police for its latest accomplishments in the fight against the drug menace, citing its relentless drive in clearing communities of bad influences and criminal elements that threaten public safety and hamper the overall development of the city.
“These latest arrests made by our local police serve to underscore the need for vigilance within our own communities. We call on all law-abiding Makatizens to do their part in attaining a drug-free Makati by immediately reporting illegal activities happening in their neighborhood to the authorities,” she said.
Makati Police chief Senior Supt. Rogelio Simon said SDEU men conducted the drug bust operation at Nazario Street in Barangay Singkamas around 3:10 p.m. on July 31, which led to the arrest of seven suspects—Mary Grace Manlait; Ma. Theresa Bantayan; Mark Anthony Dizon; Danilo Cruz; Jay-ar Dizon; Romejun Dizon; and Kenneth Dizon, all residents of Barangay Singkamas.
The authorities recovered P300 in buy-bust money as well as 14 pieces of transparent plastic sachets, one weighing scale, a mobile phone, four pieces of assorted ammunition, and one metal case.
Following the custodial investigation which revealed the identity of the illegal drugs supplier, SDEU operatives conducted its second operation at 6:15 pm of the same date along the alley of Caimito Street in Barangay Cembo, which led to the arrest of 46-year-old Ben Garcia.
Buy-bust money amounting to P300 was also recovered, along with 15 pieces of small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance suspected as methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu.”
A follow-up operation was conducted around 6:50 pm at Magsaysay Street in Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo where the police arrested Mabella Delgado and Jory Palmes, both 29 years old.
More than P300 worth of buy-bust money was recovered from the suspects, together with drug paraphernalia, and five pieces of plastic sachets containing shabu.
The ten arrested suspects will be referred for inquest at the Makati City Prosecutors Office for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165.
As part of the city’s efforts to eradicate the drug menace, the city government has also supported the Pagasa sa Makati program, an information, education and communications campaign implemented by a community of collaborators, including DILG-Makati, DepEd-Makati, Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council, the barangays and schools.
The program is promoting the use of integrated arts in all public elementary and high schools in the city as a preventive educational tool in combatting illegal drugs.
On the directive of Mayor Binay, the city police have also increased police visibility during unholy hours to deter criminal elements.
Binay earlier urged the people of Makati to be vigilant and cooperate with her administration to help the government in its fight against the drug menace in the country.
“We are serious about making Makati a drug-free city. I repeat, there will be no sacred cows under my administration, most especially if it concerns illegal drugs,” the mayor said.