THE Davao City government has terminated the services of its information officer who had joined a beach party where 17 persons were nabbed by anti-narcotics operatives in a buy-bust operation last Saturday.
In a statement, the office of Mayor Sara Duterte confirmed that Jefry Tupas was “involved in a raid” conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Mabini, Davao de Oro.
“The details of the raid are known only to the PDEA officers in Davao de Oro and Ms. (sic) Tupas,” the statement read.
“Last Sunday, Jefry signified his resignation and on the same moment he was informed that he is terminated from work with the city government of Davao,” it added.
Seized during the operation were assorted illegal drugs, including shabu and ecstasy, worth P1.48 million.
Reports quoted Tupas as admitting having joined the party but said he left the party about an hour before PDEA operatives arrived. Tupas said he was a guest at the party organized by businessman Revsan Ethelbert Papey Elizalde.
In a television interview, Tupas said he left the party before the raid, adding he did not know of the PDEA operation until they arrived in Davao City.
“I was there because like the other guests, I was invited. But I left right after dinner with my boyfriend and another friend,” Tupas said.
PDEA operatives conducted the buy-bust operation at the Sea Eangle Beach Resort in Purok Manaklay, Barangay Pindasan in Mabini town at around 9:15 p.m. and nabbed Elizalde, who was described by the agency as a “high-value target” in the war against drugs and the “main subject” of the operation, along with 16 others.
The PDEA listed Elizalde, 33, as its main suspect, adding he sold a sachet containing a violet capsule believed to be a party drug and marijuana wrapped in a cellophane to an undercover agent.
Also arrested were Eana Faye Marie Palabras Olea, Bryk Jordan Templado Archival, Kurk Bryan Carmona, Carlo Guerero, Ariel Baer Bueno, Jan Lord Barcenas Masong, Ronald Ente Chuan, Christopher Daguman Prudente, Edel Rubio Caballero, Tom Jhun Bernardino Doblas, Jesus Bentonon Ragas, Jason Obedencio Viduya, Giovanni Lumabi Tabanao,Mark Christopher Anisco Isip, Fritz Chente Dinopol and Jomark Flores Aping.
Police seized over P1 million worth of suspected dangerous drugs and nabbed two suspected pushers in a buy-bust operation in Marikina City last Monday. — With Ashzel Hachero and Christian Oineza
