Drugbusters nab 3 in Pasay

Three suspected drug pushers who yielded P200,000 worth of shabu were arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) during a buy-bust operation in Pasay City last Holy Thursday.

Senior Superintendent Orlando Mabutas, chief of the Metro Manila Regional Office (MMRO) of the PDEA, said some 100 grams of shabu were seized by his men during the operation conducted at around 4 p.m. in front of a fastfood restaurant along the service road in Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City.

Mabutas said drug charges were filed against the suspects identified as Mangontawar Matanog, 37; Sanawi Salic alias Wowie, 29, and Aslima Arobinto, 18. The illegal drugs were found inside a heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet.

The suspects are now locked up at the MMRO detention cell located at the PDEA Annex Building along NIA Northside Road in Barangay Pinayahan, Quezon City.

All three suspects are facing non-bailable charges of violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, the PDEA also arrested two suspected drug pushers during an operation in front of the Baclaran Redemptorist Church in Parañaque City. Seized from the suspects were 50 grams of shabu worth P100,000.

PDEA officials said suspects Christopher de Mesa, 29, of Bagong Lipunan street, Baclaran; and Emmanuel Gonzales, 21, also of Parañaque City, have been detained on drug possession charges. — Christina Mendez