Reelectionist barangay captain, son fall in Iloilo drug bust

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said Rodolfo Baldemor Sr., 52, the incumbent barangay chairman and resident of Barangay Talokgangan, Banate, Iloilo; his 22-year-old son Rodolfo IV; and Cresenciano Badinas Jr., 47, a businessman, were caught in a sting operation. 

 

Reports said a PDEA agent acted as poseur-buyer and entered into a transaction with the trio to facilitate the sale of two sachets of shabu. 

 

They agreed to meet in Barangay Talokgangan last October 26 around 12:30 p.m., the report added.

 

Upon receiving the buy-bust money, the barangay captain and his companions were immediately arrested by PDEA Regional Office 6 agents. 

 

The suspects yielded seven sachets of shabu and the buy-bust money used during the operation.

 

"Last Saturday was the last day of campaigning for barangay elections. But Baldemor Sr. opted to peddle illegal drugs rather than “sell” himself one last time to be reelected. He lost the opportunity to serve his constituents for another term, and will serve his time in jail," Cacdac said.

 

In Sarangani Province, combined elements of PDEA Regional Office 12  and Sarangani Police Provincial Office-Special Weapons and Army Tactics arrested Benjimen Lacaba, 32, and Randy Orzal, 30, during an entrapment operation along Roxas Street, Poblacion, Alabel, Sarangani Province last Oct. 28. 

 

Confiscated from them were two grams of shabu, a Toyota Hi-lux (VEB-817 )and P1,000 bill used as marked money.

 

"Lacaba is the son of an incumbent barangay kagawad in Barangay Poblacion who ran for barangay captain in last Monday’s elections," Cacdac said.

 

The suspects will be facing charges for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), in relation to Section 26 (Conspiracy to Sell) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.