NBI nabs five big-time drug pushers

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested six alleged drug pushers in Metro Manila in a series of operations in the metropolis and nearby provinces.

The arrested suspects were identified as Peter Lao Say, 50, a Filipino-Chinese trader, of 528 El Cano Lavisaris, Binondo, Manila; Nestor Guillermo, 44, of Samson Road, Caloocan City; Clarita Saguiped, 39, of Cavite; Arsad Mababaya, 24; and Abdultaha Ali, 25, both from Maharlika Village, Taguig.

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco said the suspects were known drug pushers in their localities.

Wycoco presented the arrested suspects to the media at the NBI main office yesterday afternoon, which coincided with the 67th founding anniversary of the bureau.

"The seizure of about P1 billion worth of shabu in Valenzuela on Tuesday is a severe blow to illegal drug operations," said Wycoco.

"But as per directive of President Arroyo, we also have to bring down the level of anti-illegal drug operations to pushers," he added.

Wycoco presented six long and short firearms and shabu confiscated by the NBI agents from the suspects during series of operations in Caloocan City, Binondo and Tondo, both in Manila and in GMA, Cavite.

"This firearms could be small but big enough to threaten ordinary citizens in the community," said Wycoco in Tagalog while holding a handgun seized from the suspects.

Lawyer Ruel Lasala of the NBI-Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force said the suspects were caught in the act of selling shabu to undercover NBI agents.

Lasala earlier asked Mrs. Arroyo to allot some P83 million to help the NBI sustain its anti-illegal drugs operations.