Charges filed vs five arrested in Toledo for drugs

CEBU, Philippines - The Toledo City Police Station has filed criminal complaints before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor against five people who were arrested after yielding over P605,000 worth of illegal drugs.

Senior Police Officer 2 Benedicto Bobilles said although Dennis “Tele” Lapa, who was the subject of the buy-bust operation, remains at large, they filed charges against him.

Lapa’s live-in partner, Jessica Huruela, 30, is facing charges for violation of Section 5 of Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act 2002.

Four others arrested after they were caught repacking shabu are also facing charges for violations of Section 5 and 11 of RA 9165. They are Apol Carnice, 28; Ejerson Edoloverio, 32; Romeo Tomarong, 28; and Rolando Macapaz, 36.   Bobilles said that the five accused invoked their right to preliminary investigation in an inquest proceeding Thursday afternoon.

They were given 15 days to submit their counter-affidavits and answer the allegations against them. They are currently detained at the Toledo City Police Station.

Huruela was apprehended in an operation in Barangay Luray II, Toledo City last Sunday after she took the P200 buy-bust money from a police poseur-buyer and gave it to Lapa.

Lapa, in turn, gave a pack of shabu to Huruela who handed it over to the buyer.

But when Huruela was about to give the illegal drugs, the police decoy arrested her. Lapa, who reportedly saw Huruela’s arrest, managed to escape through the backdoor.

Carnice, Edoloverio, Tomarong and Macapaz were arrested after the police found them repacking shabu inside a small room.

The police confiscated four large packs and four small packs of suspected shabu. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/ATO (FREEMAN)