Vice mayor’s brods nabbed in drug raid

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – Seven persons, including two brothers of a municipal vice mayor, were arrested in an anti-drug operation in Balingasag town, Misamis Oriental on Sunday.

Acting town police chief Inspector Arnold Gaabucayan identified those arrested as Porfirio Roa Jr. and his brother Roy Cesar, Perlito Tularan, Roxanne Salilig, Justine Mae Pontevilla, Giovanni Dagimol and Mar Louie Ballejos.

Gaabuyan said the Roas were brothers of Balingasag Vice Mayor Marietta Roa-Abogado.

He said the suspects were reportedly caught engaging in a pot session at the house of Roy Cesar.

The raiding team, composed of local police and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, seized from the suspects eight plastic sachets said to contain shabu.

Gaabucayan said the raid was prompted by reports that the house was being used as a drug den.

During yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony at the town hall, the vice mayor said she would not meddle in the case involving her brothers. She said she had not talked with them yet, but had met with their families.

Porfirio was previously arrested in this city for alleged drug use.

Charges were set to be filed against the suspects yesterday.