PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) director, Brigadier General Remus B. Medina yesterday announced the arrest of 15 of their top drug targets following a series of anti-narcotics operations in the country this week.

In a report to PNP chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos, the official said six of the suspects were arrested in four separate buy-bust operations which led in the confiscation of nearly P1.5 million worth of shabu.

Medina said two of the suspects identified as Rhadzmir Duran, 19, and Omar Enriquez, 23, both residents of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, were arrested while conspiring to sell 50 grams of the so-called “poor man’s cocaine” worth P340,000 to an undercover officer of the PNP-DEG Special Operations Unit (SOU) 9 in Purok Gumamela in Bgy. Tenan 5:30 p.m. Friday.

The official said Eruel Capesinio, a 29-year-old fishball vendor-turned “high-value individual” in Western Visayas was arrested in a sting in Zone 4, Lower Bgy. Agusan in Cagayan de Oro City around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

He said members of the PNP-DEG SOU 10 and the local police confiscated four large heat-sealed plastic sachets containing some 100 grams of shabu worth P680,000, several drug paraphernalia and the buy-bust money topped by a marked P1,000 bill from the possession of the suspect.

Medina said suspect John Mark Villaruel, 36, a resident of Purok Gumamela, Bgy. Enclaro in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, yielded 35 grams of shabu worth P238,000, one gram of dried marijuana leaves and the marked money during a sting in his neighborhood 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Two others identified as Mark Anthony Morales and Shyra Mae Perez, both 24 years old, residents of Butuan City, were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Bgy. San Vicente in the same city 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Recovered from the possession of the suspects were two grams of shabu worth P13,600, the marked money paid to them by an undercover officer from the DEG SOU13 and a motorcycle with no plate number.

The six suspects are now facing non-bailable charges for sale and possession of prohibited drugs under Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, said Medina.

The nine other suspects were arrested in manhunt operations conducted by the PNP-DEG with the assistance of local police units.

Medina said one of the suspects identified as Ruperto Hernandez, 60, a resident of No. 3364 Adora Street in Bgy. Tejeros, Makati City, was arrested on Monday on the strength of a warrant for violation of RA 9165 issued by Judge Cesar Aganon of the Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 60 with a P200,000 recommended bail.

The 2nd identified as Rudybert Conrado, 38, a resident of Tanguigue Street in Agdao Proper, Davao City, was served a non-bailable warrant for his arrest for sale and possession of dangerous drugs issued by Judge Carlos Espero II of the Davao City RTC Branch 9 on Monday.

Another identified as Jessie Lomanta, 32, resident of Block 225, Lot 3, Sampaguita St. in Pembo, Makati City, was arrested Monday in Burgundy Tower located along ADB Avenue in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Judge Jennifer Pilar of the Pasig City RTC Branch 164 recommended no bail for the liberty of the accused.

The 4th identified as Robin Manaloto, 36, a backhoe operator from Bgy. Salvacion in Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan, was arrested on the basis of a warrant for service of sentence issued by Judge Junius Dalaten of the Villasis, Pangasinan RTC Branch 50.

The 5th, Usop Mocles, 61, of Purok Banisil in Bgy. Tambler, General Santos City, was arrested on the strength of a warrant issued by Judge Oscar Noel Jr. of the General Santos City RTC Branch 35 on March 4, 2020. A P200,000 bail was recommended for the liberty of the accused.

The 6th identified as Carmencita Lampasa, 54, a resident of 189 San Guillermo Street in Putatan, Muntinlupa City, was arrested 9 a.m. Wednesday on the basis of a warrant for violation of RA 9165 issued by Judge Gener Gito of the Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 106 last June 10.

The 7th identified as Roland Carl Vilo, 30, was arrested in Bgy. Dela Paz in Cogeo Gate 2 in Antipolo City, on the basis of a warrant issued by Judge Elena Amano of the Valenzuela City RTC Branch 282.

The 8th, Mark Anthony Cabiling, 35, was arrested in J.P. Rizal Street in Butuan City Friday. Judge Lou Nueva of the Trento RTC Branch 55 in Agusan del Norte ordered the arrest of the suspect last April 11, 2019.

The 9th, Jersey Dumandan, 18, was arrested in Guindacpan Island in Talibon on the basis of a warrant issued by Judge Leah Geraldez of the Cebu City RTC Branch 7.