No bail for Argao drug pusher

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor recommended no bail for  a suspec-ted drug pusher who yielded at least P120,000 of illegal drugs.

Police Officer 3 Benjamin Geyrozaga of Argao Police Station said Harold Patigayon, 57, is now facing charges for violation of sections 5 and 11 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Geyrozaga said Patigayon opted not to invoke his right to undergo preliminary investigation during the inquest proceedings before the state prosecutor last Monday.

Patigayon was arrested in Barangay Poblacion, Argao on September 18 after he sold a pack of shabu to a police decoy in exchange for P200.

Operatives of Argao police conducted the buy-bust operation after receiving reports on the alleged involvement of Patiga-yon in illegal drug trade.

Upon body search, the police seized a medium pack and 10 small packs of suspected shabu and the P200 marked money from Patigayon. The illegal drugs seized amounted to P120,000, said police.

Geyrozaga said they had already docketed the criminal complaints against Patiga-yon before the Regional Trial Court in Argao last Thursday.

Patigayon is temporarily detained at Argao Police Station while waiting for his commitment order from the court. —  /NSA (FREEMAN)