CA Orders Freeze of Suspected Central Visayas Drug Lord’s Assets Worth PHP76M

The Court of Appeals (CA) Station in Cebu City on Tuesday released an order freezing all the assets, amounting to PHP76 million, of suspected Central Visayas drug lord Franz Sabalones, brother of the vice mayor of a southern Cebu town.

The order, which is valid for six months and dated January 19, 2017, was issued by the CA 8th Division in Cebu City.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 requested for its issuance through the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

PDEA 7 Director Yogi Felimon Ruiz said they tracked Sabalones’ assets for six months after he surrendered in August last year.

Sabalones, brother of San Fernando, Cebu Vice Mayor Fralz Sabalones, surrendered to Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa last year after President Rodrigo Duterte named his brother as a drug protector.

He confessed that he is a drug lord operating in Central Visayas and tagged several policemen as his protectors.

Ruiz said Sabalones owns several properties, including six lots, in Cebu province.

He said the freeze order was issued because they were able to prove that Sabalones’ properties were all acquired through his illegal drug business.

“Under the law, proceeds of the crime of illegal drugs can be forfeited in favor of the government,” said Ruiz.

Ruiz said the issuance of the freeze order will affect Sabalones’ capability to conduct future businesses.

Ruiz also said Tuesday that PDEA’s attention is now focused not only on confiscating illegal drugs, but also on confiscating the drug lords’ assets, “so they could not continue their illegal businesses.” (PNA)LAP/EB/