Man meted life for selling drugs

CEBU - The court sentenced a man from barangay Capitol Site for life imprisonment after he was arrested for selling drugs to a policeman in a buy bust operation last August 25, 2005.

Regional Trial Court Branch 13 Judge Meinrado Paredes also ordered Manolit dela Piedra to pay a fine of P500,000 after being found guilty of violating Section 5 of Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act.

During Dela Piedra’s arrest, police recovered from his possession 0.04 grams of shabu which he handed over to PO2 Julius Regis, who acted as poseur buyer during the buy bust operation.

In Regis’ testimony against Dela Piedra, the policeman said that they conducted the operation at Marian Cristina St., barangay Capitol Site based on a tip from an informant that the suspect was selling shabu.

Regis was with his teammates who were only identified as SPO1 Rosales, PO3 Luage and PO1 Anninion during the operation and arranged a meeting with Dela Piedra through an informer.

Upon reaching the place, Regis asked Dela Piedra if he has the “stuff” or shabu to which Dela Piedra assented to and handed the packet of shabu from his pocket.

Dela Piedra was caught when Regis made a miss call on his cellular phone to his teammates.

The accused pleaded not guilty of the crime and denied that he was arrested in a buy bust operation, claiming he was arrested inside his home in Capitol Site.

But Paredes said the defense of Dela Piedra was so weak and was surpassed by the statement of the prosecution that positively identified him as the pusher.

The accused also testified in court that he was not framed up, manhandled and there was no demand for money or anything for his release.

“The court believes that the law is harsh but it is not for this court to question the wisdom of the law. There is nothing we can do except to impose the appropriate penalty in accordance with the law,” Paredes said in his decision.  — Jasmin R. Uy/WAB   (THE FREEMAN)