Cebu Gov Says Death of Central Visayas’ Top Drug Lord a Warning for Other Suspects

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said the death of the suspected number one drug lord in Central Visayas will serve as a warning to other drug lords to stop their operations that ruin families and the youth’s future.

But Davide said his administration will not give any bounty to the policemen who killed Jeffrey Diaz, 37, also known as “Jaguar,” and his alleged security escort, Paul Vincent Morales, 26, last Friday night in Las Piñas.

“It’s not right to say we rejoice that someone has been killed. But at least one drug lord is gone,” Davide said.

Earlier, Cebu City Mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña said he will give a cash reward of PHP100,000 to the policemen who killed Diaz and his bodyguard.

Police said Diaz, who laid low for years now in Cebu City and in Central Visayas, was still operating in Negros Island, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas and lately, in the NCR.

Diaz could reportedly dispose of at least five kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” in a week valued at about PHP59 million.

Davide said Diaz’s name had appeared in lists of suspected drug lords according to the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CPADAC), Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

“We support the anti-drug program of the incoming administration. In fact, the Cebu Capitol through CPADAC gave PHP1.6 million to police officers who engaged in operations against illegal drugs and have been successful in their raids, arrest of suspects and confiscation of shabu for the first quarter of this year,” Davide said.

But Davide said the PHP1.6 million was not a bounty but an incentive for the officers who risked their lives to fight illegal drugs. (PNA) LAP/EB/SSC