8 nabbed in Batangas 'shabu tiangge' raid

BATANGAS , Philippines  – Eight people, including a retired US Navy man, were arrested in a raid on a “shabu tiangge (flea market)” in Nasugbu town Thursday night, authorities said.

Senior Superintendent Alberto Supapo, Batangas police director, said seven of those arrested, identified as Anatalia Galano, Myrna Aquino, Vivencio Sobremonte, Nicanor Baira, Brigida de Castro, Jimmy Ocoma and Miguela Tenorio Ocoma, all residents of Barangay Lumbangan, yielded suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia.

Arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm was Crisanto Martinez, 55, a retired US Navy man who also resides in Barangay Lumbangan. Seized from him were a Colt .45 caliber pistol, three live ammunition, and a magazine and holster for the pistol.

The raid, conducted with a search warrant issued by Lemery Judge Eutiquio Quitain, yielded at least 17 small plastic sachets of suspected shabu, a water pipe, two cellphones, marijuana pouches and P4,750 in cash.