DILG clerk, 2 others caught with P5-M cocaine

MANILA, Philippines - A Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) clerk and two others were arrested in Quezon City yesterday after allegedly trying to sell a kilo of cocaine.

Sherwin Lim, 37, who works at the DILG’s main office; Bryan Esquerra, 22; and Robby Mabalatan, 34, were apprehended in Barangay Santol at around 10 a.m.

Senior Superintendent Napoleon Taas, head of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) said the three suspects were arrested following a month of surveillance.

Lim and his fellow suspects are reportedly behind the proliferation of cocaine in Metro Manila and Angeles City, Pampanga, he added.

Taas said the suspects reportedly tried to sell the kilo of cocaine for as low as P1.2 million when it has a street value of P5 million.

Superintendent Ismael Fajardo said the suspects claimed the cocaine is part of a shipment that was thrown from a ship off the coast of Samar some years ago. He said investigators are trying to determine the source of the cocaine.