PDEA files charges vs. alleged bigtime pusher, companion

CEBU, Philippines – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has filed charges against an alleged Level 2 drug pusher and a companion who were arrested during a buy-bust operation in barangay Tangke, Talisay City last March 9.

Pani Baguio and her companion, Uldarico Pagalan, are now facing charges for violation of Section 5 of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. The two were allegedly together in selling shabu to the poseur-buyer.

Seized from the two were 21 packs of suspected shabu from no less than Baguio’s house. The buy-bust operation was conducted after PDEA received a tip from an informant that Baguio was selling drugs and after three weeks of surveillance.

FO3 Rayford Yap said that based on intelligence reports, Baguio is allegedly the main supplier of shabu in barangay Tangke and other parts of Talisay City.

To entrap Baguio, the informant sent a text message to the suspect that he was interested to buy shabu. They reportedly met with Baguio, who was with Pagalan, in sitio Galaxy in barangay Tangke.

The two suspects then brought the informant to Baguio’s house where the entrapment operation was carried out. The arresting team declared an arrest just as Baguio was handing them the shabu.

Baguio denied the allegations, saying the packs of shabu were planted.

“That’s not mine, they just placed in there,” she said. — Jasmin R. Uy/JMO (THE FREEMAN)