Charges against 11 persons sniffing shabu to be filed today

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City police will file charges today against the 11 individuals arrested for sniffing shabu in sitio Magay, Barangay Tanke in Talisay City last Saturday.

Charges for violation of Sections 6 and 15 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act will be filed against Camelo Abapo, 56, and Anecita Guisihan, 37. Section 6 of the law deals with the maintenance of drug den, dive or resort where the dangerous drug is being used or sold while Section 15 deals with the use of the dangerous drug. 

Charges for violation of Section 15 and Section 12, which deals with the possession of equipment, instrument, apparatus and other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs, will be filed against Ronnel Abapo, 23; Jolito Ibonalo, 21; and Jessie Apolonio, 21, all of whom are drivers of motorcycles-for-hire and residents of barangay Sinsin, Cebu City.

The others, Marvin Abella, 25, of Barangay Lipata, Minglanilla; Rennie Emnas, 29, of Barangay Cansojong, Talisay; Darwin Mangaron, 38, of Barangay Tanke; and Jason Secretaria, 28, of Barangay Pakigne, Minglanilla, including a 35-year-old mother and her 16-year-old daughter will also face charges for violation of Sections 15 and 12.

Chief Inspector Eddie Recamara of the Talisay police said that a minor aged 15 and above could face charges, however, the minor arrested was turned over to the City Social Welfare in Talisay City.

Police arrested the group during a saturation drive. The arrested individuals were found sniffing shabu in a shanty where authorities also recovered five gas lamps, a match box with match sticks in it, four rolled tissue paper, and cut aluminum foils.

Camelo admitted ownership of the shanty and told the police he collected at least P1 and up to P10 from those who wanted to occupy it to use drugs. He said it was his source of income.

Recamara said that Tanke, over the last years, has been well-known for having drug dens even in small houses.

The raid was in response to the orders of Cebu Provincial Police Director Patrocinio Comendador for the police to implement preemptive measures on possible crimes brought about by illegal drugs. — (FREEMAN)