PHILIPPINE National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) director, Brigadier General Remus B. Medina yesterday announced the arrest of six “high-value targets” (HVTs) in the country following a series of anti-narcotics and manhunt operations.

In a report to PNP chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos, the official said one of the suspects who has been identified as a notorious drug trafficker in Southern Mindanao was arrested after he sold an estimated P108,000 worth of shabu to an undercover officer in Davao City.

Medina identified the suspect as 31-year-old construction worker Rolando Alforque, a resident of Sitio Tinago Mintez in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

He said members of the PNP-DEG Special Operations Unit 11 recovered a plastic sachet containing around 16 grams of the so-called “poor man’s cocaine” worth P108,800 and the P38,000 worth of boodle money topped by a marked P1,000 bill during the sting along University Avenue in Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City, last Saturday afternoon.

“We are still conducting follow-up operations to identify and arrest the main source of the drugs recovered from the suspect,” Medina said.

The suspect is now facing a non-bailable case for sale and possession of prohibited drugs under Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the official said.

As of yesterday, PNP-DEG operatives are also still conducting follow-up operations to arrest the other cohorts of the four suspects arrested while conspiring to sell 10 kilograms of shabu worth P68 million to a poseur in San Pedro City, Laguna, two Fridays ago.

The arrested suspects identified as Ace Arciaga, 35; Shamewayne Darvin, 19; and Benz Gonzales, 21, are now facing non-bailable charges for violation of RA 9165. Their 17-year-old companion is also facing a thorough investigation.

Medina also reported the arrest of five wanted drug personalities in separate manhunt operations. One of the two identified as Fe Figueroa, 54, a jobless resident of Welfareville, Bgy. Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City, was arrested on the strength of a warrant for violation of RA 9165 issued by Judge Restituto Mangalindan Jr. of the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 280.

The 2nd identified as Ronnielo Alamigo, 38, a laborer from Bgy. Ingore in Lapaz, Iloilo City, was arrested on the basis of a non-bailable warrant for violation of RA 9165 issued by Judge Victoreco Gelveson of the Iloilo City RTC Branch 36.

The 3rd, Christopher Lamanilao, 45, a resident of Bgy. Marcos in Magallanes, Agusan del Norte, was arrested in Trece Martirez City in Cavite on the strength of a warrant for violation of RA 9165 issued by Judge Victor Tomaneng of the Butuan City RTC Branch 5 on March 9, 2004.

The 4th, a 17-year0old female from Bgy. Lun Padidu in Malapatan, Sarangani, was ordered arrested by Judge Jose Blanza of the General Santos City RTC Branch 22 for violation of RA 9165. A P240,000 bail was recommended for the temporary liberty of the accused.

The 5th identified as Jhondee Lumosco, 34, a resident of Bgy. Calumpang in General Santos City, was arrested on the strength of a warrant for violation of RA 9165 issued by Judge Oscar Noel of the General Santos City RTC Branch 35. The court allowed the suspect to post a P200,000 bail.