CITIZENS' HELP LED TO ARREST OF 'BIG FISHES' IN DUMAGUETE DRUG TRADE

Two alleged "big fishes" in the Dumaguete City drug trade fell into the
hands of the police Saturday because of the cooperation of students and
concerned citizens.

Joseph Amigo, 49 and his brother, Jerry, 46, both married, of Oracion
Drive, Barangay Looc, were arrested in a raid conducted by the joint
elements of the local police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency,
Dumaguete PNP chief, Supt. Constantino Barot Jr., told the DAILY STAR.

Barot, whose station was recently cited as the Best Anti-Illegal Drug
Operation Team in Region 7, said about 15 grams of shabu were confiscated
from the Amigo brothers.

"Certainly, they will not be allowed to post bail because of the quantity
(of the illegal substance) seized from them," Barot said.

Under the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002, possession of, at least, 10
grams of shabu is non-bailable.

He also said the arrest of the two could be considered a headway in the
local campaign against illegal drugs, because the Amigo brothers , aside
from being considered "big dealers" were also very elusive.

But with the cooperation between the police and the community, we succeeded
in arresting the two after several failed attempts, Barot stressed.

He said the Amigo brothers have been victimizing students, who make up the
bulk of their customers.

But he also said, three students and some concerned citizens were
instrumental in the successful raid on the Amigo brothers. He did not
elaborate.

The raid, conducted on the strength of a search warrant issued by Dumaguete
Municipal Trial Court in Cities Judge Antonio Estoconing, was witnessed by
assistant city prosecutor Ely Escorial, Looc barangay kagawad Rogelio
Talavera, and local mediamen.

Joseph and Jerry's older brother, Uldric, was shot dead last year by
unidentified gunmen at the gate of their compound, Barot recalled. The
police believed that the death of Uldric, who was also considered a "big
fish" in his time, was drug-related.*RA