PWD, beggar fall in drug bust

CEBU, Philippines — A laundress, a person with disability, and a street beggar were arrested in a buy-bust operation targeting a drug den near Mambaling Elementary School in Cebu City Wednesday afternoon.

Elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 7 and Cebu City Police Station 11 conducted the operation in sitio Naba, Barangay Mambaling that resulted in the arrest of the three suspects.

The target of the operation was Elizabeth Balayon, 57, a laundrywoman, who is allegedly the drug den maintainer.

Also arrested were the two drug den visitors identified as Johnny Gemoran, 34, and Gaby Sabtoranie, 52, a PWD, and both are street beggars.

Authorities have confiscated five packs of shabu weighing around 10 grams worth around P68,000, buy-bust money, and other drug paraphernalia.

American

Meanwhile, elements of PDEA-7 also arrested an American national in another buy-bust operation conducted in Purok 4, Barangay Manga, Tagbilaran City, Bohol on Wednesday night.

The suspect was identified as Esrom Jenkins alias AJ, 42, who is allegedly a drug den maintainer, and a resident of the said place.

According to information, the apartment Jenkins was renting for eight months was converted into a drug den.

Jenkins has been reportedly staying in Bohol for eight years but kept on transferring from one barangay to another while authorities have been building up the case for two weeks.

The PDEA-7 were able to confiscate 15 packs of shabu weighing around 15 grams with an estimated market value of P102,000 as well as buy-bust money, three cell phones, identification cards, and various drug paraphernalia.

Also arrested along with Jenkins were Jude Denis Bantog, 42, a target listed drug pusher, and April Valiente Ighot, 28, a drug den visitor, both fishermen and residents of Barangay Ubujan, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

All the three suspects are in police custody at the Tagbilaran City Police Station.

The buy-bust operations led into the destruction of both drug dens in advocacy in the campaign against illegal substances.

The suspects in both of these cases are charged for violation of Sections 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12 of Article II of Republic Act 9165. — UV Intern Louie Edward A. Maligon, GMR (FREEMAN)