Prominent family’s member caught with marijuana

CEBU, Philippines - A member of a prominent Cebu City family was arrested for allegedly carrying marijuana at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport departure area Wednesday afternoon.

Senior Superintendent Ritchie Posadas, Aviation Security Unit-7chief, said Transportation Security screening officers found the marijuana inside the bag of 30-year-old Joseph Chiongbian.

“Sa ikaduha nga screening siya nakit-an kanang pa-boarding na siya,” Posadas said of the Davao City-bound Chiongbian.

Following the confiscation of the two-gram marijuana, Chiongbian was detained in a holding cell of the Mactan Airport Police Station.

He will be charged for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

Past 10 a.m. yesterday, the two of the security screening officers and OTS head Jemar Nietes filed their affidavits along with those of the AVSEU officers at the City Prosecutor’s Office inside the Lapu-Lapu City Justice Hall

Chiongbian, who was accompanied by a family member and his lawyer, declined to issue any statement.

Meanwhile, City Prosecutor Ruzo Zaragoza told reporters yesterday that they charged Chiongbian for violating Section 11 (possession of illegal drugs) of Republic Act of RA 9165. (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act).

He said the Chiongbians wished to hurry up with the filing of the case, which was why the family did not grant a media interview.

“P200,000 ang bail ana. I -file kay section 11. Mao gani, gusto nila nga mapadali dayon ang file, para maka-bail sila. Mao ni atong gipaninguha nga mapadali nato,” Zaragoza said of Chiongbians. (FREEMAN)