Ex-cop, 5 others nabbed in drug bust

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – A former policeman was among the six persons arrested in an anti-drug operation conducted by the police and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in La Union yesterday.

PDEA Regional Director Joefrey Tacio identified the suspects as Arnold Ryan Agbayani, Michael Castro, Ralphy Licudan, Arnel Opinaldo, Virgil Pambid, and Jason Lubian,  a former policeman, all of Barangay Baroro, Bacnotan town.

Tacio said the suspects yielded 10 grams of shabu, a caliber .45 pistol and caliber .38 revolver.

Meanwhile, two brothers ranked as the fifth and sixth most wanted drug personalities in Region 1 was arrested by PDEA agents in Batac City, Ilocos Sur.

Jerry and Lindbergh Asuncion, both of Barangay Quiling, Batac City, reportedly yielded six sachets containing shabu.

PDEA agent Rey Bahian told journalists the suspects were placed under surveillance before the arrest was carried out.