8 nabbed in drug den; female cop charged for illegal gambling

Eight persons, including one believed to be a minor, were arrested by joint operatives in a drug den at San Juan Tunga, Barangay 5 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

A policewoman caught during a police operation against illegal gambling in Hinigaran town, meanwhile has been charged in court.
The arrest of eight persons came after the buy-bust conducted by personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Negros Occidental Provincial Office and San Carlos City Police Station.

The suspects were identified as Nico Allera, 18, tagged as the drug den maintainer in the PDEA report, as well as Wilner Patatag, 30; James Dionaldo, 20; Junil Camingao, 29; Jhayben Sates, 18; Allan Cañete, 32; Allan Juanito, 21; and one considered a minor whose identity has been withheld by the authorities.

Lt. Roby Aurita, deputy chief for administration of San Carlos Police Station said that all eight suspects are in the custody of PDEA-Negros Occidental.

She added that the alleged minor is supposed to turn 18 by this time, and the Women and Children Protection Desk is waiting for his mother to submit his birth certificate.

During the operation at around 1:45 p.m. Thursday, Allera sold a sachet of suspected shabu worth P500 to a PDEA poseur-buyer, and the operatives also seized from his possession nine sachets containing about 12 grams of the prohibited substance valued at P81,600.

They recovered as well drug paraphernalia such as foil strips with shabu residue, improvised glass tooters and scoops, scissors, clipper, and disposable lighters.

According to the PDEA-Western Visayas report, the operation was conducted based on the information received by the “Isumbong Mo Kay Wilkins”, the social media platform of PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva, where concerned citizens can report illegal drug activities in their communities.

The suspects were charged for violation of Section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs), Section 6 (maintenance of a drug den), Section 7 (employees, visitors of a den) Section 11 (possession of dangerous drugs), and Section 12 (possession of paraphernalia for dangerous drugs) of Article II, Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

POLICEWOMAN

Meanwhile, a policewoman assigned at the Bacolod City-based Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) headquarters was among the six charged before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office after they were linked to an illegal gambling operation in Hinigaran town.

In a virtual press briefing, Col. Romy Palgue, police provincial director, said Master Sgt. Bebzie Nicor is charged with the violation of Presidential Decree 1602, which provides stiffer penalties for illegal gambling.

Nicor is the designated secretary at Palgue’s office at the NOCPPO headquarters, a position she held even during the terms of the previous provincial directors.

“I do not tolerate (this) so effective immediately while being investigated, I relieved her from my office for the conduct of an impartial investigation,” Palgue said.

He said Nicor was among the individuals rounded up by authorities during an operation against an illegal cards game in Barangay Quiwi on July 25.

He said since a member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is involved, all the more that charges should be filed.

“We have a standard and there is guidance from the PNP chief. In fact, our President (Rodrigo Duterte) has a pronouncement on the involvement of police officers in gambling activities,” the NOCPPO chief said.

Palgue reminded other police personnel in Negros Occidental to avoid getting involved in gambling and other illegal activities as they are being monitored, based on the information gathered by their superiors.* (With reports from Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)