7 nabbed in Marikina drug bust

MANILA, Philippines - A man who allegedly leads a drug syndicate operating in Marikina and Rizal was arrested along with six others during a drug bust Sunday.

Police officers confiscated at least 10 grams of shabu, which has a street value of P100,000, from Randy Domingo, 32, the gang’s alleged leader, Marikina police chief Senior Superintendent Vincent Calanoga said.

Calanoga said it took them three months of surveillance to set up the purchase of shabu worth P15,000 from Domingo in front of a house on Soliven street in Barangay Nangka, Marikina at about 5 a.m. Sunday.

Before the sale could be consummated, Domingo apparently sensed the presence of lawmen and ran into the house where his alleged gang members – Regee Aquinto, 22; Roie Linnel Santiago, 21; Adrian Candidato, 32; Regi Aliling, 24; Robert Rongel Inocando, 19; and Genevieve Magtalas, 23 – were found in a room, according to Calanoga.

Domingo was found hiding in the ceiling of the house.

Police officers also confiscated a Mitsubishi Montero the group allegedly used in their operations. All seven suspects denied the charges against them.