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[av_heading heading=’But Prevendido group leader still at large’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MERIANNE GRACE EREÑETA
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ILOILO City – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 6 has all but declared the illegal drug trade in Western Visayas crippled.
Following the arrest of the three sons of slain suspected drug lord Melvin Odicta Sr., a triumphalist-sounding Deputy Regional Director Levi Ortiz claimed they have dismantled the Odicta drug group.
He also asserted that the Prevendido drug group now exists only by name even if PDEA or the police have yet to arrest suspected drug lord Richard Prevendido.
“It is safe to say that demolished na ‘yung Odicta drug group,” Ortiz told Panay News.
He, however, was mum on the status of PDEA’s operation against the still at-large Prevendido.
“Naga i-exist na lang sila sa pangalan kasi lahat sila (identified members) may pending warrants of arrest at si Bonie (Prevendido Gregori) nahuli na. Paano pa sila makapagpalawak ng negosyo kapag on the run sila,” said Ortiz.
Bonie Gregori was a nephew of Prevendido. Ortiz described him as the “brain and muscle” of the Prevendido drug group.
The PDEA official also made an implicit warning to the families of drug suspects that they could be the next targets.
“No amount of money, interest or connection can save you kapag magpatuloy pa kayo sa pag-operate kasi kami sa PDEA we will do our job,” said Ortiz.
PDEA operatives arrested three sons of Odicta Sr. Thursday last week – Melvin Jr., 36; Michael, 32; and Darryl, 29. Their high-walled residence in Barangay Malipayon, City Proper was raided.
“Kahit ano kayaman ‘yan, gaano karami ang battery of lawyers nila basta we will just do our job,” said Ortiz.
Odicta family lawyer Marbhen Lumbo claimed irregularities during the raid.
“We will not allow them to intimidate and harass us,” said Ortiz.
Citing intelligence information, Ortiz said Melvin Jr. took over his parents’ illegal drug operation.
On Aug. 29 Melvin Sr. and wife Meriam were shot to death by gunmen at the Caticlan jetty port in Malay, Aklan. Investigators believed the killings were linked to illegal drugs but no suspects were identified or arrested.
Melvin Jr., 36, denied being involved in their parents’ alleged illegal drugs business and insisted they were not keeping shabu in the house.
“After the death of the Odicta couple, there was really a lull in their illegal drug business. But lately we received information that Melvin Jr. was the one managing the business now. This was why we searched their house,” said Ortiz.
Meanwhile, he admitted that Prevendido, a resident of Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao district, was hard to catch.
“He was constantly moving. We even received reports that he already left Western Visayas,” said Ortiz.
But he expressed confidence that the suspected drug lord will soon be caught.
“Pag hindi sya mag-surrender, baka madisgrasya pa,” Ortiz said. “He can run but he can’t forever hide. Makukuha rin sya. Matiyaga ang mga operatives natin.”
The Police Regional Office 6 gave itself until the end of this year to arrest Prevendido. Its Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) disclosed receiving a lot of information on the whereabouts of Prevendido.
“We are verifying these tips. Ang dami,” said Senior Superintendent Harold Tuzon, IPPO director.
Chief Superintendent Jose Gentiles, regional police director, promised to arrest Prevendido before the New Year./PN
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