Ex-boxer Melligen falls in drug bust

CEBU, Philippines - A former boxer who has won medals for the country was arrested after he was allegedly caught sniffing shabu in a house in Mandaue City last Thursday evening.

Elements of the Criminal Intelligence Branch (CIB) of the Mandaue City Police Office conducted a buy bust operation against Joembee “Ombie” Mark Sencio, 21, and his 16-year-old brother.

The brothers were nabbed as well as Mark Jason Melligen, 26, who was caught sniffing shabu inside the residence of the Sencios.

CIB chief Supt. Josefino Ligan said that the siblings are considered level 3 drug pushers who are in the police watchlist.

They can sell five grams of shabu per week with a street value of P55,000.

 â€œSiya (minor) ang tig-sugat sa mga mamalitay ug shabu unya iyang ihatod sa iyang magulang,” Ligan said.

Ligan said it is their strategy so that authorities will not notice their illegal drug activities.

The buy bust operation was conducted at around 9 p.m. outside the residence of the suspects who have been under surveillance for more than three weeks.

A poseur buyer bought two packs of shabu from Joembee and handed to the suspect the P500 bill marked money.

The transaction was done in the presence of the minor brother.

Police immediately arrested Joembee and when frisked, four small packs of shabu, a disposable lighter, five pieces of aluminum foil strips and the buy bust money were recovered from his possession.

Recovered from Melligen were aluminum foil strips with traces of shabu, a disposable lighter, tissue wick and used tooter.

During interrogation, Melligen admitted he has become a drug user because of his frustration that his career is going down and he was also neglected by his trainers.

Melligen was born in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental and a former member of the National Amateur Boxing team.

He has also brought honor to the country.

Melligen was a silver medalist under the Light Welterweight Division in the 22nd Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

He also won a silver medal under the Welterweight Division in the Philippine SEA Games in 2005 before turning pro in 2006.

Melligen was a prospect of Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.

He even had the chance to go sparring with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the U.S and was expected to be on top but blew his chances as he failed to train hard enough.

He was part of the fabled ALA Boxing Stable for sometime then went on knocking at the doors of Sammy G.Gello-ani when his contract ended.

When he lost to Sebastian Andres Lujan at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas, USA by way of knockout, Melligen was seemingly out of focus but Gello-ani gave him a chance to fight back.

True enough, Melligen bounced back to win his last two fights, both via technical knockout against Dondon Lapuz in Balingao, Misamis Occidental in July and against Sapapetch Sor Sakaorat at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay in September last year.

Melligen stands with a record of 23 wins, 16 by knockout, three losses and no draw.

Charges of drug pushing will be filed against the Sencio brothers while Melligen will also be charged for shabu use.

Melligen and Joembee are detained at the Subangdaku Police Station while the minor was turned over to the Mandaue City Social Welfare Service Office. (FREEMAN)