PRO 7 Chief Rues Death of Suspected Cebu Drug Lord

Chief Superintendent Noli Talino, Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 director, on Thursday said he rues the death of suspected drug lord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz as he could have helped the government destroy the narcotics trade in the country.

The name of Diaz, a native of Barangay Duljo Fatima, Cebu City, surfaced again in the Senate hearing Wednesday, after he was tagged by Eastern Visayas alleged drug kingpin Kerwin Espinosa as one of his drug suppliers.

Diaz was killed during a police operation in Las Piñas City last June 17, about 13 days before President Rodrigo Duterte was sworn into office.

The operation was led by then PRO 7 Regional Intelligence Division Chief Rex Derilo and Regional Special Operations Group Chief George Ylanan.

Ylanan, along with fellow police official Marvin Sanchez, was also mentioned by Espinosa as members of the team that caught him in Cebu City decades ago.

Talino said Camp Crame is investigating the killing of Diaz and there is no result yet.

Talino said PRO 7 is also monitoring the recently retired Police Officer 3 Romeo Bolongaita, who was also mentioned by Espinosa during the Senate inquiry.

Investigators are also gathering evidence against Cebuano businessman Peter Lim who was also mentioned by Espinosa. (PNA)LAP/EB/EDS