Naga City police amend 'drug den' charge vs Faeldon son

NAGA CITY, Philippines (Bicol Standard) — Nicanor Faeldon, Jr., the son of the Bureau of Corrections commissioner, is now facing a complaint for alleged violation of Section 6 (Maintenance of a Den, Dive or Resort) of Republic Act 9165, which penalizes the maintenance of a den, dive, or resort where drugs are used or sold.

This, after the Naga City Police Office amended the original complaint against Faeldon, Jr. for violation of Section 7 (Employees and Visitors of a Den, Dive or Resort) of R.A. 9165, which penalizes employees and visitors of a den, dive or resort.

The charge was changed upon the recommendation of the City Prosecution Office, after Faeldon, Jr. made a statement that he was not a visitor of the alleged drug den but had been residing there for the past six months, SPO2 Tobias Bongon, Naga City Police Office spokesperson, told the Bicol Standard.

The penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million shall be imposed upon any person or group of persons who shall maintain a den, dive or resort where any dangerous drug is used or sold in any form, Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act reads.

In contrast, violation of Section 7 carries a penalty "of imprisonment ranging from 12 years and one day to 20 years and a fine ranging from P100,000 to P500,000." 

Also charged were: Russel “Bubbles" Lanuzo y Bermudo, for violation of Sections 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), 12 (Possession of Equipment, Instrument, Apparatus and Other Paraphernalia for Dangerous Drugs), and 15 (Use of Dangerous Drugs); Allan Valdez y Grate for violation of Section 7 and 15; and Manuel Niebres y Millares for violation of Section 7 and 15.

All four were arrested at Lanuzo's residence in Barangay Mabolo on December 14 in an operation led by the Naga City Police Office.

Faeldon, Jr. tested negative for dangerous drugs, while Lanuzo, Valdez, and Niebres tested positive.

As of this writing, Faeldon, Jr. remains in detention in Naga City Police Station 1.

Bicol Standard is a regional partner of Philstar.com.