'Alabang Boy' pleads not guilty in drug case

MANILA, Philippines - A member of the so-called “Alabang Boys” pleaded not guilty of illegal drug trafficking before a Quezon City regional trial court yesterday.

Judge Jaime Salazar of Branch 103 set the pre-trial of the case against Joseph Ramirez Tecson on May 18.

Tecson, together with Richard Brodette and Jorge Joseph, were arrested in a series of drug busts by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency last Sept. 20.

The charges were initially dismissed by the government prosecutor but the decision was overturned by Malacañang, which ordered the filing of the case.

The cases of Brodette and Joseph are still being raffled off at the Mandaluyong regional trial court.

During yesterday’s hearing, Salazar also ordered Tecson’s transfer to the Quezon City Jail pending the resolution of his case.   – Perseus Echeminada