Man nabbed for cocaine hangs self

MANILA, Philippines - A family driver who was caught last Tuesday with cocaine worth about P2.6 million hanged himself using his maong pants in the detention center of the Cavite police the following day.

Chief Superintendent Rolando Añonuevo, Calabarzon police director, said Arnold Alima, 22, was still alive when rushed to Our Lady of Pilar Hospital in Imus, Cavite.

Añonuevo said doctors tried to revive Alima but the attending physician, Dr. Marlon Caravana, declared him dead at around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday because his esophagus was severely damaged.

Alima was arrested in Tanzang Luma, Imus town after handing over 519.98 grams of cocaine to a police poseur-buyer. He was subsequently charged with drug pushing and illegal drug possession before the Department of Justice.

Police said Alima tied one leg of his maong pants around his neck and the other to a steel-grilled door.

Alima, according to reports reaching Añonuevo, belonged to the Amante group believed behind the proliferation of illegal drugs in Laguna and Cavite.

His cohorts, identified only as Nancy and Garcia, eluded arrest during the buy-bust operation.