Two men sentenced for drugs

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Trial Court has sentenced a man to 12 years in prison for possession of shabu yesterday and another man five months for smoking marijuana.

Joven Trapero was arrested last August 2, 2006 for possession of .04 grams of shabu during a patrol conducted by policeman in sitio Nasipit in barangay Talamban.

During the arraignment, Trapero entered a not guilty plea before Branch 13 judge Meinrado Paredes.

According to PO2 David Narala, one of the prosecution witnesses, they were along the Nasipit area in Talamban having their roving patrol when they saw a person running along the road shouting “Tulisan, tulisan!”

Responding to the said alarm, they were able to apprehend the suspect who was later identified by the people as the suspect of the robbery.

Confiscated from Trapero was a packet of shabu estimated to weigh at .04 grams.

The court said the positive, frank, honest and straightforward testimonies of the police officers prevailed over the negative, uncorroborated and incredible lone testimony of the accused.

Paredes said that both policemen have no ill motive in testifying against Trapero and that there was probable cause to effect the warrantless arrest.

Paredes said that the negative testimony of the accused that he was not in possession of shabu cannot prevail over the testimony of the two prosecution witnesses who positively identified the accused.

Trapero was made to pay P300,000 on top of the 12 years sentence after being found guilty of the charge.

Meanwhile, the RTC also sentenced a man to five months in prison but cleared two of his minor companions for smoking marijuana in sitio Dalaguete, barangay San Nicloas, last August 26.

James Pajarillo was meted five months in jail after being caught smoking marijuana by barangay tanods.

When arraigned, all three entered a not guilty plea before Branch 14 Judge Raphael Yrastorza.

Yrastorza in his decision said that the two minors were never tested for marijuana use and thus cannot be convicted of possession and control of marijuana cigarette. — Jasmin U. Labaco/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)