3 of 5 men arrested for using drugs freed

CEBU, Philippines - Three of the five men arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 on Tuesday for drugs posted bail for their temporary liberty.

Lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna told The FREEMAN that his clients Rachel Tenchaves, Luis Ramon Torralba and Alvin Obenita de Jesus posted bail through surety bond on Friday. Torralba is a realtor while Obenita is a former college instructor.

“Three were able to post bail, the other one is scheduled to post bail this coming Tuesday,” Dela Cerna said. The other accused, Joseph Tenchaves, will remain in jail after the Prosecutor’s Office did not recommend bail.

PDEA arrested the five accused during a buy-bust operation at Joseph’s house in Barangay Sambag 1, Cebu City. PDEA conducted the operation following a tip from a concerned citizen of Joseph’s alleged illegal activities.

Intelligence Officer 1(IO1) Francisfil Tangeres said earlier that an informant had told him a pot session was ongoing at Joseph’s house at that time.

During the inquest proceeding, the five denied the allegations but chose to answer the charges straight in court.

Prosecutor Rogelio del Prado recommended P200,000 bail for Rachel’s temporary liberty. Rachel was charged for Section 7 (employee of a drug den), Article II of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Del Prado likewise recommended P200,000 bail for Torralba, de Jesus and Aldo Rey Alilim, an architect for a violation of visiting a drug den.

He recommended no bail for Joseph for allegedly violating of Section 6 (maintaining a drug den) and Section 5 (selling of shabu). He however, recommended P200,000 bail against Joseph for a violation of Section 11 or illegal possession of drugs and P40,000 for a violation of Section 12 or illegal possession of drugs paraphernalia.  (FREEMAN)