BY DONALD BORJA SEVILLA
Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado and the Office of Governance, Accountability, and
Review (OGAR) have remained silent on the arrest of a suspected drug pusher with
PHP1.8 million worth of illegal drugs, according to netizens who have watched the
unfolding events in social media platforms.
Frederick Pamatong Madriñan, a 51-year-old licensed veterinarian and employee of
the Bohol Capitol, was arrested recently during a buy-bust operation conducted by
the Dauis Municipal Police Station (MPS) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement
Agency (PDEA).
Madriñan was found to be in possession of 275 grams of suspected marijuana,
which has a standard drug price of PHP1,870,000, during a buy-bust operation in
Mariveles, Dauis, Bohol, the home barangay of the incumbent governor.
Aumentado, OGAR, Vice Governor Dionisio Victor Balite, including provincial board
members allied with Aumentado have not issued any statement on the arrest.
During this week’s Capitol Report which is aired live on major radio stations in Bohol
and Cebu, the arrest of Madriñan was not among the topics discussed at the weekly
forum with the local media.
The arrest of Madriñan has raised questions about the governor’s anti-drug
campaign, according to a comment on Facebook following the buy-bust operation.
In the “Plastada” radio program aired over station DYTR, Aumentado was called out
for being allegedly selective in his anti-drug campaign.
Plastada anchor pointed out that Aumentado has not been as vocal about the arrest
of other suspected drug pushers in the province.
They have pointed out that Aumentado has not been as vocal about the arrest of
other suspected drug pushers in the province.
But Aumentado had said in previous interviews that he is committed to the fight
against illegal drugs.
“We will not tolerate any form of illegal drugs in Bohol,” Aumentado had said in
previous media interviews. “We will continue to work with the police and other law
enforcement agencies to ensure that our province is free from drugs.”
The arrest of Madriñan, who was employed at the office of the Provincial
Veterinarian, is a reminder of the challenges of the war on drugs, according to the
regional PNP office in a statement.
The drug bust operation was led by the operatives of Dauis Municipal Police Station
(MPS) of Bohol Police Provincial Office in coordination with the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency.
PBGEN Anthony A. Aberin, PRO7 Regional Director, commended the collaborative
efforts of the operatives involved in the successful arrest of the said drug personality.
“When the police and community work together in the fight against illegal drugs and
crimes, accomplishments such as this comes in handy,” he said.
This successful arrest is a result of an in-depth analysis against a suspected drug
personality in Dauis, Bohol and serves as a testament to the effectiveness of police
and community alliance in the fight against illegal drugs and crimes, the regional
PNP command said.
Dauis Police Station Praised for Successful Drug Bust
Gov. Aumentado, chairman of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), has
praised the Dauis Municipal Police Station (MPS) for their successful drug bust in
January this year.
In a press release by the Dauis PNP, Aumentado said that the operation, which
resulted in the arrest of John Albert Iter, a resident of Dao Tagbilaran City, and the
seizure of 1.25 kilos of illegal drugs worth 8.5 million pesos, is a testament to the
MPS’s commitment to fighting crime.
“I commend the Dauis MPS for their outstanding work in this operation,” Aumentado
said during a recent PPOC meeting. “This is a major blow to the illegal drug trade in
Bohol, and it sends a strong message to criminals that they will not be tolerated in
our province.”
The MPS chief, PLT Thomas Zen B. Cheung, said that the operation was the result
of a months-long investigation. “We had been tracking this suspect for some time,”
he said.
“We are glad that we were able to take him off the streets and prevent him from
distributing these dangerous drugs to our community.”
Cheung also warned the public against the dangers of illegal drugs.
“These drugs are destroying our youth and our families,” he said. “We need to work
together to stop the flow of illegal drugs into our province.”