7 indicted for violation of dangerous drugs law

CEBU, Philippines - Seven people arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation-7 operatives during a buy-bust operation Sunday have been charged in court for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Two of the seven accused were indicted for selling illegal drugs, four were charged for visiting a drug den, while one for maintaining a drug den.

John Harold Alidon and John Michael Unabia, both residents of Minglanilla, were indicted for violation of Section 5, Article II of the Republic Act 9165 or selling of illegal drugs. Both Unabia and Alidon waived their right to avail of the preliminary investigation and opted to answer the charges in court.

State prosecutor Petronio Elesterio recommended no bail for their temporary liberty.

Those who were indicted for visiting a drug den were Jeboy Lacson, of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental; Orlando Lumayag, of Hacienda San Ramon, Bayawan City; Jayson Sabayton, of Poblacion, Ward II, Minglanilla; and Tiborcio Canillo, of Poblacion, Ward I, Minglanilla.

Elesterio recommended P200,000 bail for each of them.

Meanwhile, Roberto Heredia, 54, was charged with a non-bailable offense for violation of Section 6, Article II of RA 9165 or maintaining a drug den.

The seven accused were arrested Sunday in Barangay Tiber, Minglanilla.   NBI-7 operatives led by agent Larry Dominguez conducted the buy-bust operation. Dominguez said he received information about the illegal drug trade in the area prompting him to conduct surveillance operation.

Domiguez said he was able to confirm the report and identified three major drug operators in the area. He identified them as a certain BJ, Robert, and Kadong.

During the operation, at least 23 people were held for questioning including three minors and a Korean school teacher.

Except for the seven who were charged in court the rest of those invited for questioning have been released after they were able to explain their presence in the area of the operation.— (FREEMAN)