Caretaker names gov't witness as Pasig drug den operator

The caretaker of a compound in Pasig City, which was raided by the police in 2006 following reports that a drug den was operating there, named a government witness as the one who ran the operation.

Joseph Pilantagaan, 54, claimed during a hearing yesterday he witnessed Samer Palao “ordering his men” several times to sell shabu in the 1,762-square meter Mapayapa Compound.

The defense presented Pilantagaan as its ninth witness in the maintenance of a drug den charges filed against Amin Imam Boratong and his second wife, Sheryl Molera, before the chamber of Pasig City Regional Trial Court Judge Abraham Borreta.

Pilantagaan said he was the caretaker of the estate of the late Soledad Santos, which included the Mapayapa compound in Barangay Sto. Tomas.

While working for the Santos estate, Pilantagaan said he lives in the Mapayapa Compound from 1997 to 2001. He overheard Palao, whom he knew only by the alias “Jamer,” directing his men to sell illegal drugs several times.

Pilantagaan said he dissuaded Palao from selling illegal drugs in the compound in 2001. He said Palao got mad and, together with two companions, shot at his house.

He said he filed a case against Palao and two other suspects but it did not prosper in court.

Pilantagaan said Palao introduced Boratong to him in August 2005, saying Boratong was interested in buying the compound. It was the first time he met Boratong, he added.

Since the sale of the compound, Pilantagaan said he had no knowledge whatsoever regarding the “unusual happenings” there until government agents raided it on Feb. 10, 2006.

He said two weeks after the raid, agents from the Anti-Illegal Drugs and Special Operations Task Force tried to get him to testify what he knew about the operation of the shabu flea market in the compound, but he refused.

The prosecution did not cross-examine Pilantagaan.   – Non Alquitran