Cops eye 4 drug groups in U-Belt

MANILA, Philippines - Manila policemen are monitoring four groups suspected of distributing illegal drugs among students at the University Belt in Sampaloc, Manila.

The information was obtained following the apprehension of three men during a drug bust within the University Belt area last week through text messages from a concerned resident, according to Sampaloc police station chief Superintendent Ramon Pranada.

Fitzjerald Tiglao, alias Taguro, 21; Francisco Soriano, alias Jun Long Hair, 25; and Karlo Villadelgado, 24, allegedly supplied marijuana and shabu to students, Pranada said.

“The three suspects are just part of the groups of drug pushers that operate in the University Belt area with mostly students as their patrons,” Pranada said.

He alleged that Tiglao supplies the drugs, Villadelgado receives the payment, while Soriano acts as the contact of the drug clients. The three are former students of one of universities in the area and had established rapport with student population, Pranada added.

With the arrest of the three, more concerned students have furnished police with the identities of the suspected drug pushers at the University Belt. Pranada identified them by their aliases as Ponga, Olet and Bernie Labo.

Police have received information that a certain “JR” from San Juan City supplies drugs to the groups.