P2.6-million worth of shabu seized from former US

The police seized P2.6-mllion worth of shabu from a dismissed US Army corporal and his female companion who were arrested in a police sting operation in Quezon City.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Chief Superintendent Cresecencio Maralit said Jojo Baligad, 34, and Rose Laysa Lamisera, 24, were nabbed by elements of the Metro Manila Narcotics Group Thursday at the Robinsdale Apartelle on Araneta Avenue, Quezon City.

Baligad is facing several criminal cases in Ilocos province and other courts in Metro Manila, the police said. The suspect was dismissed from the US Army after going Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL).

Police said the arrest came after the couple handed about 300 grams of shabu, estimated at P560,000, to an undercover police agent during the buy-bust operation.

Further search at the suspects’ metallic green Nissan Sentra (BCD-428) resulted in the confiscation of another 300 grams of shabu found on top of the console box of the car.

Maralit said drug pushing and possession charges were filed before the Quezon City Prosecutors’ Office, which recommended no bail for the suspects.

Meanwhile, four armed men robbed an off-track horse race betting station and eatery in Paco, Manila, carting away at least P200,000 in cash and valuables the other night.

Reports reaching the Western Police District said the robbers hit the Happy Landings OTB and Arton’s Cafe, owned by Antonio Lao and located at 1524 Pedro Gil St. at about 8:45 p.m.

According to reports, Lao and the bettors of the OTB were waiting for the results of the races conducted at the San Lazaro Hippodrome when a dark colored Tamaraw FX van with plate number TAX-650 suddenly appeared and parked infront of the betting station.

Police said four men armed with M-16 rifles and .45 caliber pistols stepped-out of the van and announced the robbery.

The suspects quickly took P43,250 from the station’s cash box and divested Lao of his cash, credit cards and jewelry amounting close to P160,000.

After robbing Lao, the suspects proceeded to rob the stunned bettors and customers of the eatery. One of the victims, off-duty San Juan policeman PO3 Albert Domingo was robbed of his .9 mm pistol kept inside a clutch bag, police said.

The suspects boarded their van and sped towards Taft Avenue. – Christina Mendez