Two drug suspects, who surrendered to Pasay police Tuesday, admit that they get their supplies from what they describe as “laylayan ng mga drug lords,” a term coined for the highest-ranked drug personality operating on the streets.
Ryan, 36, and Rodel, 37, (not their real names) said their supplier from Malibay is connected to high-profile drug lords serving time at the Mandaluyong city jail.
“Kahit nakakulong ‘yong mga bigatin na drug lords sa Mandaluyong, may koneksyon sila sa labas na mas mababang level na mga drug lords,” Rodel said.
Ryan said they get tipped off every time authorities launch anti-drugs operations.
“Kapag may mga operation naman, may nagtitimbre na sa amin ng mga tropa ko kaya nasasabihan ko rin siya na tago muna, palamig muna kumbaga,” he said.
Their revelation confirms the extent of the illegal drug operation in the country.
Even before President Duterte assumed office, authorities have started a relentless campaign against illegal drugs.
This is why Ryan and Rodel decided to turn themselves in.
“Para sa kaligtasan ko at ng pamilya ko [kaya ako sumuko]. Dahil po sunud-sunod na ‘yong nababalitaan ko na namamatay.Natatakot po akong baka ako na ‘yong sumunod na bumulagta sa kalsada,” said Ryan who had been into drugs since he was in high school.
“Ganun din po, para sa asawa ko. Sa mga anak ko. Gusto ko na pong magbagong buhay para sa kanila. Ayoko na po nang ganitong buhay,” he added.
Like Rodel, Ryan is married and has four children.
However, Rodel disclosed that some drug offenders have vowed to fight.
“’Yong ibang user at pusher sa lugar namin makikipagsabayan daw sa mga pulis. ‘Yong mga ayaw sumuko lalaban daw ng sabayan, ibig sabihin hindi magpapahuli ng buhay. Patay kung patay,” Rodel said.
Ryan, who is jobless, is married to a call center agent and takes care of their children aged 16, 9, 7 and 1. Rodel, on the other hand, works as a warehouse assistant at a Pasay mall. His children are 16, 13, 9 and 8 years old.
They were brought together by the drug trade and addiction and had become inseparable since.
“Nagsimula ako gumamit dahil sa mga tropa ko noong high school. Inaaya nila ako hanggang sa pumayag na lang din ako dahil masarap daw, parang langit,” Ryan narrated.
“Una, marijuana tapos nag-upgrade sa shabu. Paunti unti rin, hihinto tapos babalik. Pagkatapos ng eskwela diretso kami sa bahay ng tropa ko sa Tramo,” he added.
Rodel said he took drugs at a later age.
“Ako rin dahil sa mga tropa ko pero malaki na ako noong magsimula ako. Parehas lang kami dahil magkalugar lang naman kami eh. Shabu lang ako dahil ‘di ko kaya mag-marijuana. Syempre gamit gamit muna hanggang sa may koneksyon na ako.
Tapos nagbenta na rin,” Rodel shared.
Both said they get an overwhelming amount of energy when they take drugs.
“Kapag marijuana, masarap kumain ng kumain tsaka matulog. Kapag shabu naman, parang lumalakas ako, kakaiba ‘yong lakas,” Ryan said.
Ryan said he usually schedules pot sessions with friends during weekends.
“Hindi ako gumagamit kapag wala ‘yong asawa ko dahil walang nagbabantay sa mga anak ko eh,” he said.
Rodel, on the other hand, said shabu kept him alert at work.
“Ako hindi agad napapagod sa trabaho. Sa amin kasi talagang patayan. Minsan kapag masama ang pakiramdam kailangan kong pumasok dahil bawal umabsent, ayun, tira,” Rodel said.
However, both said that after the effects of the drugs wear off, they feel weak and down.
“Tapos parang napa-praning ka. Pakiramdam ko may sumusunod sa akin, parang may papatay sa akin. Kapag lumilingon ako sa likuran ko may aninong tumatakbo. Kaya karamihan ng nasa impluwensya ng bawal na gamot, nakakagawa ng hindi maganda,” Ryan said.
Ryan and Rodel are among close to a thousand drug offenders who have surrendered to Pasay police. (MARTIN SADONGDONG)