2 suspected drug pushers nabbed

CEBU, Philippines - Two suspected drug pushers in Siquijor were arrested in separate raids conducted by the police in Larena town.

The suspects were identified as Kim Morales, 23, of Barangay Cangbagsa and Philip James Pagente, 25 of Barangay Nonoc. The police seized four packs of shabu worth P1,000 from Pagente while seven packs of shabu at P500 each were also confiscated from Morales during a separate buy-bust operations.

Morales was arrested on April 22 at 10:00 p.m. while Pagente was arrested on May 1 at 11:15 p.m.

Larena Police chief Romel Luga said the suspects are on their surveillance list and are identified drug pushers.

Criminal charges for violation of Section 5 and 11, Article II of RA 9165 or possession and selling of dangerous drugs have been filed yesterday before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Meanwhile, a suspected big time drug pusher in Lazi town escaped the police drag net last month.

Bryan Bruce Aljas, 42, was a subject of the raid conducted by the agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency last April 9. Aljas is allegedly the number one drug personality in Lazi.

Aljas eluded arrest but the PDEA operatives seized 3.77 grams of shabu inside his wife’s bag. The authorities also found 34 rounds of ammunition for caliber 22; nine rounds of live ammunition for M16; 50 live ammunition for M14 and a Caliber 22 rifle. (FREEMAN)