Facelift, crash diet fail to hide convict’s identity

A convicted drug pusher, unable to keep his mouth shut, boasted about a facelift and a crash diet to hide from the law, and was arrested by intelligence operatives at his safehouse yesterday in Caloocan City.

Chief Inspector Crisencio Galvez, intelligence branch chief, said his men arrested Mario Roco alias "Marco," 27, a native of Romblon and resident of Heroes del ’96 street, Caloocan.

Roco, who took pains to hide his real identity by having minor surgical work on his face and maintaining a diet, gave himself away after several rounds of beer kicked away his resolve to keep the secret.

In drunken stupor, Roco bragged to his drinking partners how he was able to roam around freely even with a conviction for violation of anti-drug laws.

Galvez said a barangay tanod happened to overhear his boasts and sought police assistance.

SPO2 Celito Escote, PO2 Romulo Sarabia and Barangay 73 executive officer Romulo Sarabia collared the drunken Roco at noon and has since been committed to the Caloocan City Jail.

Roco was convicted for possession and trafficking of illegal drugs and had a standing warrant for his arrest issued by Caloocan Regional Trial Court Branch 121 Judge Victorino Alvaro last July 5, 2005.

No bail was recommended by the city prosecutor’s office for his temporary liberty.

Roco’s live-in partner identified only as "Nena" scolded the loudmouth for the blunder.