Paris, France -- France's fight against cannabis, through tough laws to punish users, has long been a failure -- the French remain among Europe's biggest dope smokers. So will a change of strategy under President Emmanuel Macron have more success? The new centrist government is preparing to soften legislation, making users caught with cannabis liable for an instant fine of 150-200 euros ($180-250) instead of prosecution and the threat of a one-year jail term. The change was an election campaign pledge from Macron last year, justified on the grounds that it would reduce the time spent by the police and judiciary on criminal cases involving recreational smokers. [continues 604 words]
Guidelines have been issued by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) for the conduct of random drug testing for students to ensure human rights will not be violated with its implementation in the different schools nationwide. DDB Chairman Vicente Sotto III said the document expounds on the intents of the board regulation passed by the DDB way back in 2003 which state that the activity is a regular program and not just a reaction of the government as a result of the "Alabang Boys" controversy. [continues 242 words]
Reactivating retired Army Gen. Jovito Palparan's career and have him lead a drug enforcement agency merely create the impression that the Arroyo administration is not serious in its pledge to improve its human rights record. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. yesterday echoed the concerns recently raised by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) over the possibility of rights violations of suspected drug users and pushers, citing the numerous charges against Palparan on alleged abuse of authority. Palparan's assumption to the top post of either the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) or the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), as indicated by the Palace, could only prove to be a liability to the administration as far as advancing its anti-illegal drug campaign is concerned. [continues 525 words]
A lawyer yesterday said he would go to court to stop the government from enforcing the mandatory drug testing for students in public schools in the country. Speaking to the Tribune, lawyer Adel Tamano who is the president of the Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ACLU), said he will file a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) for the tribunal to be afforded an opportunity to rule on the validity of this program. "I am convinced this affront to the civil rights of our students should not be allowed in a democratic country and hopeful our case will enrich the jurisprudence on the rights of individuals," Tamano said. [continues 582 words]
The United Opposition (UNO) yesterday denounced the government's proposed mandatory or random drug testing schemes for students as a serious affront to human rights which will give rise to more corruption in the government's campaign against illegal drugs. "This is not the serious pre-emptive war on drugs that was promised by President Arroyo, the self-proclaimed 'Anti-Drug Czar,'" said lawyer-educator Adel Tamano, spokesman for the UNO. "We fear that this mandatory or random drug testing schemes will become, just like in most cases under the Arroyo administration, another money-making venture for businessmen-cronies who will again exploit another unnecessary government mandate." [continues 314 words]
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Gen. Dionisio Santiago has this habit of coming with claimed exposes on the drug front, among which are the alleged P50 million bribe to get the case against the three drug pusher suspects baptized by the media as the "Alabang Boys" and the latest, that claim that narco-politics has penetrated up to the national level, so much so that the drug problem has become a national security threat. The big problem with Santiago's exposes, however, is the fact that while he continues to bare all these, he refuses to name names or even provide details. [continues 604 words]
Solons Nix State Fiscal's Bribery Denial, Charges The fresh allegations raised by Department of Justice (DoJ) Prosecutor John Resado that it was the legal counsel for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) who had attempted to bribe him elicited serious doubts from the members of the House committee on dangerous drugs during a hearing yesterday. The congressmen were also seen as using high pressure tactics on Resado to get him to waive his rights under the bank secrecy law, insinuating that he was afraid to waive his rights to have his bank account scrutinized by the House because he was hiding something and was guilty of having taken a bribe. [continues 1405 words]
State prosecutors whose morale is said to be low due to the forced leaves mandated by the new self-appointed anti-drug czarina, President Arroyo, may yet find solace with the impending departure of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency's Maj. Ferdinand Marcelino, who is at center of the PDEA drug buy-bust, along with the Department of Justice's (DoJ) prosecutors whom he had accused of having dismissed the case of the so-called "Alabang Boys," suspected drug dealers, on charges that they had been bribed with P50 million. [continues 1517 words]
The drug-bribery case involving so-called "Alabang Boys" yesterday took a new twist after a cousin of one of the "boys" testified that Richard Brodett had been using and peddling drugs since he was 16, contrary to what his parents wanted to portray him as good and innocent. "He (Richard Brodett) had been using drugs since he was 16. I don't want to be a hypocrite but he even taught me how to use drugs," his cousin Anthony Brodett told the House committee on dangerous drugs looking into the drug-bribery case involving the Alabang Boys and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). [continues 1117 words]
The controversy involving the "Alabang Boys" has turned for the worse, with the battle line being drawn between state lawyers on one side and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief ret. Gen. Dionisio Santiago and his operatives who were mostly extracted from the Philippine Marines. What had resulted in turn was that the heat in the bitter exchange of words between both camps now threatens to overcloud the issue of bribery following the arrests of the Alabang Boys that was the subject of the Congress inquiry into the case. [continues 653 words]
Flaws in the criminal system, including the inability of the government to attract "good prosecution lawyers," were among the reasons cited by the Palace yesterday for the failure of criminal cases like drug cases to prosper in court. Law enforcers running against drug traffickers have complained about drug cases being stopped cold right at the first base at the Department of Justice (DoJ) mostly as a result of technicalities cited by state prosecutors in dismissing most cases. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said that lack of evidence, technicality in procedures, and lack of probable cause are the major stumbling blocks in pursuing drug cases. [continues 1332 words]
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director Gen. Jesus Verzosa yesterday reported a "marked decrease" in the number of index crime cases particularly murder, homicide and physical injury this year compared to year 2007. In a press conference at Camp Crame, Quezon City, Verzosa said the incidence of index crimes for the past 11 months of 2008 decreased by 1.3 percent, with corresponding single-digit declines in the number of cases involving murder and physical injury. But the PNP saw a 14.11-percent dip in the number of homicide casesin 2008. [continues 568 words]
Students from 42 public and private schools in Makati City will stage a simultaneous anti-drug rally on Nov. 13 at 7 a.m. in their respective schools and barangays. Dubbed Sulong Kabataan Laban sa Droga, the anti-drug rally is one of the highlights of Makati 's observance of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week that ends on Nov. 17. The Makati students will march around their respective areas with streamers, placards and bands to heighten people's awareness, especially the youth, of the government's campaign against illegal drugs and substances. [continues 168 words]
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) yesterday ordered the dismissal from the service of four policemen who were found to have connived in planting evidence and extorting money from an alleged drug peddler. The Napolcom said it fired four members of the Pateros Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) for planting shabu (hydrochloride methamphetamine) and marked money for the purpose of extorting money from complainant Maria Annaliza Encinar. The decision was handed down by the commission's Regional Appellate Board (RAB) First Division which affirmed the decision of the People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) of Pateros dismissing SPO2 Arthur Velasco, PO1 Vinboy Pacamarra, PO1 Efren Patchicoy and PO1 Antonio Zinampan for serious irregularity in the performance of duty, dishonesty and violation of law. [continues 180 words]
Another drug syndicate allegedly distributing methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) in Manila's University Belt area was believed busted after elements of the Manila Police District (MPD) raided its warehouse in Quiapo early morning yesterday. MPD investigators said the warehouse, located right behind the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) campus in Quiapo, yielded 30 kilos of shabu with a street value of P7.5 million. "We are evaluating the effects of our operation now. We are going after the suspected mastermind but I cannot name that mastermind because we are now conducting follow-up operations," MPD Station 3 Commander Romulo Sapitula told dzBB radio. [continues 186 words]
Joint elements of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested a suspected drug dealer and seized some 15 bricks of "marijuana" during a buy-bust operation in Manila over the weekend. NBI officer-in-charge Nestor Mantaring identified the suspect as Elson Langpaw, 26, a farmer and a native of Wangwang, Tinoc, Ifugao. According to Mantaring, the NBI Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force under task force commander Ruel Lasala and the PDEA team arrested the suspect during an operation at the Florida bus terminal located at Earnshaw Street, Sampaloc, Manila, after a month-long case build-up. [continues 383 words]
An embarrassment, a big slap on the law enforcement capability and sincerity by a government claiming to be serious in curbing drug trafficking, an administration senator yesterday said as he fired at the executive on the latest international report citing the Philippines as having a booming illegal drugs industry with billions of dollars involved the past few years. Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., reacting to the 2006 international narcotics control report of the US State Department, chastised the apparent lapses of the government as manifested in the report, saying this should serve as a wake-up call as it not only caused the latest humiliation for the country but is also alarming. [continues 289 words]
Illegal drug trade in the Philippines has evolved into a billion-dollar industry over the past few years, according to a 2006 international narcotics control report of the US State Department. The report cited that the Philippines continues to experience an increase in foreign organized criminal activity from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. China and Taiwan-based traffickers remain the most influential foreign groups operating in the Philippines, it added. The US State Department report said most of the transactions involving illegal narcotics from other countries to the Philippines are done using letters of credit. [continues 549 words]
Elements of the Manila Police District (MPD) yesterday said drug vendors in the "shabu hot spots" in Manila's Tondo district earn up to P1,000 an hour. According to MPD anti-illegal drug unit chief Rodolfo Llorca, many of those vendors had already been arrested in earlier raids but returned to the illegal drug trade because of "easy money." "Ang iba rito ay nahuli na at bumalik dahil walang trabaho. Pinakamabilis ang kitaan dito, wala pang halos isang oras ay P500 hanggang P1,000 ang kita, depende sa galing (Some of those caught had been arrested before. But they went back because of easy money. Depending on their negotiating skills, one can earn P500 to P1,000 in less than an hour)," Llorca told Iglesia ni Cristo-run radio dzEC during an interview. [continues 86 words]
Insinuating that high officials of the local government of Pasig City were somehow involved in its unmitigated operations, Pasig Rep. Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr. yesterday challenged the Arroyo government to look deeper into and prosecute those found to have had a hand in the operations of a big drug den in the city that was recently busted by the authorities. Yesterday, during a media forum held weekly at a hotel in Quezon City, Jaworski said the continued and practically open operations for two years of the "shabu tiangge" (public market for the illegal drug) located less than a kilometer away from the Pasig City Hall and the headquarters of the Eastern Police District imply that the racket has been "untouchable" and enjoying protection from local officials. This, he said, shows how the city's officials have been "blatantly disregarding the law" and the government therefore should act to emphasize upon them the potency of the law. [continues 601 words]
Rep. Robert Jaworski Jr. of Pasig City sees the hasty demolition of the shanties that made up the shabu bazaar as an attempt by Mayor Vicente Eusebio to cover up evidence. Jaworski is waiting for the investigation report from the Anti-Illegal Drugs-Special Operating Task Force (AID-SOTF) before he files a case against Eusebio before the Department of the Interior and Local Government. He said he would charge the mayor with gross inexcusable negligence and violation of Presidential Decree 1829, which penalizes the obstruction of apprehension and prosecution of offenders. [continues 300 words]
"Too late and too much!" This was the reaction of Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz to the action taken by Pasig City Mayor Vicente "Enteng" Eusebio by ordering the demolition of the shanties that served as evidence of what was once a shabu (hydrochloride methamphetamine) market. Cruz, citing media reports, said the shabu market has been in existence for the past two years but the local government only acted after it was discovered by the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF). [continues 473 words]
Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF) director Chief Supt. Marcelo Ele yesterday condemned the demolition of the shanties inside the "one-stop shabu market" ordered by Pasig City Mayor Vicente Eusebio. Ele said the demolition could have destroyed important evidence that might affect the court proceedings on the drug case. Ele, who led the raid on the "shabu den" along E. Soriano Street, Sitio Mapayapa, Barangay Sto. Tomas last week expressed dismay over the decision of the Pasig City government to destroy the shanties where they recovered two kilos of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and other drug paraphernalia. [continues 433 words]
AN ANTI-CRIME watchdog and opposition lawmakers sought legal action against Pasig City Mayor Vicente Eusebio for destroying evidence when he ordered the demolition of a drug den before the official investigation was completed. "The demolition is suspicious because pieces of evidence that can be used in the investigation were destroyed," said Dante Jimenez, chairman of the Volunteers against Crime and Corruption (VACC), after the mayor's men demolished 53 shanties in a drug enclave that sold shabu openly a few blocks from city hall before police shut it down last week. [continues 294 words]
Blurbal Thrusts If they were able to wiggle out of complicity in the Feb. 4 Ultra tragedy, Pasig City Mayor Vicente Eusebio, Eastern Police District Director Chief Supt. Oscar Valenzuela and Pasig police chief Sr. Insp. Raul Medina will probably find it more difficult to wash their hands of the monumental embarrassment that is the "shabu supermarket" in Sitio Mapayapa, Barangay Sto. Tomas, Pasig City, where some 319 persons were arrested during a raid conducted last Friday by the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AID-sotf). [continues 678 words]
Mr. Expose The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief, Undersecretary Anselmo Avenido announced the relief of a six-man PDEA team assigned to Pasig City. Avenido said the team did not know the presence of the shabu tiangge in the heart of the city or were paid to allow the drug traffickers to operate. It is now doubly clear that the Pasig Philippine National Police, Pasig City local government authorities and the PDEA Pasig team failed to do their jobs over a two-year period with drug dealers operating openly and undisturbed by the three agencies. In fact, the raiding team from the PNP task force decided not to coordinate with the three local agencies to prevent a leak. This indicates that the raiders suspected the local officials and police of protecting the dens. [continues 277 words]
Mr. Expose Shabu resto, supermarket, tiangge, one-stop shop, an arcade of 40 restaurants - the variety of descriptions of how incredible and unusual is the story of a community of drug dens and stalls behind the Pasig City Hall and only 200 meters away from a police station. An entrance fee of P10 was charged with a close circuit TV guarding the community. A menu of shabu-related services with corresponding prices was posted prominently. Three hundred nineteen persons including 59 minors were arrested. One-hundred-seventy-nine tested positive for drug use. Sex and prostitution and billiards were also available. Witnesses say it has been in operation for more than two years catering to about 500 patrons a day. [continues 227 words]
Six members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) were yesterday relieved from their posts after failing to detect the existence of the "shabu flea market" that was raided in Pasig City last week. PDEA Undersetretary Anselmo Avenido Jr. also ordered the six PDEA members to undergo investigation for possible neglect of duty following the discovery of the shabu den in E. Soriano Street, Sitio Mapayapa, Barangay Sto. Tomas, Pasig City. The relieved PDEA personnel were identified as SPO2 Arsenio Gregorio Jr., team leader, SPO2 Oscar Rudas, SPO1 Tomas Calicdan, PO3 Eleonito Aptuhan, PO2 Celino Sumauang and Po2 Ranil Policarpio. [continues 725 words]
Charges of illegal use of prohibited drugs have been filed before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court against 168 persons who were among those arrested during a raid on a "shabu market" in Pasig City last Friday. Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil disclosed of the 168 persons - 20 of them women and 11 minors - - were found positive for using either shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) or marijuana after they were subjected to drug testing under the supervision of the PNP Crime Laboratory Service (CLS) at Camp Crame at 3 p.m., yesterday. [continues 558 words]
Police authorities yesterday revealed 90 percent of the 319 persons arrested during a raid in a shabu (hydrochloride methamphetamine) flea market in Pasig City were found positive for drugs. According to Anti-Illegal Drugs and Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) chief Director Marcelo Ele, 175 of the 319 persons arrested were found using drugs. The findings were based on the drug test they conducted on the apprehended persons right after the operations, Ele added. According to Ele of the 319, 59 were minors whose ages range from 10 to 12 years old. The minors are now in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) while the adults are now detained at the Custodian Center of the Philippine National Police. [continues 173 words]
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao yesterday sacked the Pasig City precinct police chief in Sitio Mapayapa, Barangay Sto. Tomas, Pasig City for allegedly not being aware of a "one-stop-shop" shabu (hydrochloride methamphetamine) den in a squatter's area in the barangay. Lomibao was outraged by the discovery of the big shabu den on Ed Soriano Street, Sitio Mapayapa. The den was discovered after police authorities rounded up 300 persons, most of them teenagers, during a raid in the area. [continues 496 words]
A Court of Appeals (CA) ruling has upheld its earlier decision in favor of three ranking Davao City police officials earlier suspended for failing to solve the summary killings of hundreds of people, including drug suspects and activists in the city. In a five-page resolution, the appellate court's former Special Third Division, through Associate Justice Arturo Brion, denied "for lack of merit" a motion for reconsideration filed by the Office of the Ombudsman for the Military and other Law Enforcement Offices (OMB-Moleo). [continues 291 words]
A concerned anti-crime group in Manila yesterday said China-based illegal recruitment syndicates are allegedly supplying workers to many clandestine methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) laboratories, with Immigration officials apparently appear unaware of it. The Citizens Action Against Crime (CAAC) said it has already asked the Chinese Embassy to warn its citizens in China against the activities of such syndicates. "We have already asked the Chinese Embassy to warn their compatriots against falling for the trap of illegal recruitment syndicates who promise them employment opportunities in the Philippines," CAAC chairman Teresita Ang-See said during an interview over radio station dzEC. [continues 183 words]
First-time drug offenders under 18-years-old may now avail of a suspended sentence with the issuance of new Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) rules that will take effect Nov. 1. Catanduanes Rep. Joseph Santiago yesterday lauded the Rules on the Suspension of Sentence of a First-time Minor Drug Offender, which the DDB issued pursuant to the new Dangerous Drugs Act. "The new rules give substance to the state policy to promote and protect the well-being of the youth," Santiago said. [continues 310 words]
With the reported confusion over Chinese individuals allowing suspected drug lords to flee the country, Chinese-Filipino groups have volunteered to help in building a database of these suspects. In a radio statement, Philippine National Police (PNP) anti-drug czar Ricardo de Leon yesterday said the Citizens Action Against Crime (CAAC) is now working with them to resolve the issue of Chinese names in the government's hold-departure lists. "We know Chinese names can easily be manipulated, with the last name being interchanged with the first name, and so on. We are working with CAAC chairman Teresita Ang-See's group to resolve the issue," De Leon said in an interview over radio station dzMM. [continues 129 words]
It is sickening to say the least but millions of addicts throughout the country are destined to live miserable existences and probably die slow, painful deaths due to the apathy and uncaring attitude of certain government officials - who are probably more preoccupied with their own selfish interests - which can be gleaned from their lethargic response to pleas from concerned authorities for the release of funds that are badly-needed if any headway is to be made in addressing the country's ever-expanding drug malaise. [continues 466 words]
The newly-organized Association of Metro Manila Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (Ammadac), composed of the vice mayors from the 17 cities and municipalities in Metro Manila, will hold an anti-drug summit on June 17 to map out a Metro-wide action plan against illegal drugs. Makati City Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, concurrent chairman of Ammadac, said the summit, to be held at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila, will consolidate all the anti-drug campaign efforts and experiences of local governments of Metro Manila. The shared experiences will form the basis for drawing up plans and programs to achieve their vision of a drug-free metropolis. [continues 180 words]
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Director General Anselmo Avenido Jr. yesterday strongly condemned recent newspaper reports quoting two agencies of the United States government as saying the Philippines is an exporter of marijuana and hashish and a transit point for heroin and methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu. In their reports, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Fact Book 2005 and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (BINLEA) International Narcotics Strategy Report 2005 claimed the Philippines is an exporter of marijuana and hashish to various parts of the world. [continues 456 words]
Aside from reported variations of the illegal numbers game (jueteng) and petty crimes, watching out for the sale of illegal drugs to students and minors will be on top of the list of priorities of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) when school opens next week. NCRPO Chief Vidal Querol yesterday said more than 5,000 policemen have been given instructions to intensify their discreet operations against illegal drug pushers who would try to victimize elementary and high school students in Metro Manila. [continues 187 words]
She used to love being identified with Nora Aunor, the aging actress who has had a record of scandals rocking her life. Yet now, with Nora Aunor, her look-alike, being arrested in the United States after she was found to have in her possession the banned drug shabu, Gloria Arroyo now tries to distance herself from the actress, reacting to reports of Aunor's arrest by saying the problem is being looked into at the department level, with the office of foreign affairs providing Aunor with assistance. [continues 712 words]
Addiction to shabu and other illegal substances has caused the breakup of families and marriages as well as the breakdown of values among the youth. A forum that this paper's Life section conducted many months ago tackled the subject of drug addiction, and we discovered that, flawed relationships and weak character traits aside, one of the main reasons some people get into the habit is the sheer availability of the drugs. It's true. In Tanauan, Batangas, for instance, drug dealing has been something like a "cottage industry," according to a report. And many news stories have shown that our schools and universities in Metro Manila aren't safe from the tentacles of this deadly trade. Recently, the country has gained another lamentable "distinction" - as one of the biggest producers of that crystal menace in Asia. Considering that we have also figured among the most corrupt nations in the world, as well as one of the countries with the lowest aptitude in math and science, this new blemish in our reputation is enough to make one literally want to change his skin. [continues 528 words]
A ranking official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday virtually admitted the practice of evidence planting and the tawaran system (bribe bargaining) by members of the police force. PNP Deputy Director General Ricardo de Leon, during the weekly Kapihan sa Sulo in Quezon City, confirmed that evidence planting and the tawaran system are being practiced in the police organization as he cited the need for the PNP to cleanse its ranks in order to earn the respect of Filipinos and succeed in its campaign against criminality. [continues 494 words]
Government operatives yesterday destroyed 10-hectare marijuana plantation estimated to be worth around P60 million in the province of Benguet during a joint operation. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Anti-Drug Task Force commander Ruel Lasala said the joint assault conducted by operatives from his office, the Philippine Army (PA) 502nd Brigade, Philippine Air Force (PAF), Police Regional Office-Cordillera, Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and NBI-CAR resulted in the uprooting of some 300,000 "fully-grown" marijuana plants. [continues 577 words]
A counter-narcotics bilateral training between Philippine anti-drug agencies and the United States, aimed at enhancing both countries' fight against the menace of illegal drugs, was opened Tuesday in Davao City. Dubbed as Baker-Piston 05-1, the joint training exercise initially opened with eight instructors from the US Special Forces and 63 personnel from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. The bilateral RP-US joint exercises formally opened at the Philippine Safety College Regional Training School in Barangay Mintel in Davao City. [continues 250 words]
DAVAO CITY - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) here said 30 local residents, including prominent Davaenos, may have dealings with suspected local "drug lord," Allan Sy. "We have their photos and their car numbers," PDEA chief Supt. Wilkins Villanueva told media, referring to the said families dealing with Sy, adding the police held a list of about 30 visitors to Sy's factories. "We have photos, the names and addresses of these people who have at one time visited Sy in his shabu lairs," he added. [continues 373 words]
Due to alarming incidents that have been reported in other countries, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday said it will be on the lookout for drug-laced candies that will be distributed to children this Halloween. An NBI source disclosed the tainted candy is not meant for children, but for more enterprising young-adult customers of some "creative" drug syndicates taking advantage of the occasion. He said the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has warned the NBI of drug dealers selling drug-laced candies to customers. [continues 293 words]
A security guard at the Multinational Village in Paranaque City said he saw some Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents had smuggle out drugs prior to the raid on a shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) laboratory inside the subdivision last Tuesday. The guard claimed three PDEA vehicles went in and out of the village prior to the raid. Radio station dzRH was quoted as reporting the PDEA members were part of a stakeout group that went inside the village around 3:45 p.m. last Monday. [continues 422 words]
Charges with kidnap-for-ransom and serious illegal detention were filed against three operatives of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for allegedly abducting a businesswoman last May. Charged before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) were chief Insp. Joselito Clarito, PO1 Antonio de los Reyes and PO3 Antonio Romero, all reportedly assigned to the PDEA Metro Manila Regional Office-Special Enforcement Group. Complainant Ronalyn Manatad said on the morning of May 16, she and her friend, Vicky Lustero, were walking along Quezon Avenue on their way to the Philippine Children's Medical when the respondents abducted her. [continues 101 words]
A 19-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment or a maximum of 40 years in jail after he was found guilty of possessing over 200 grams of shabu (hydrochloride methamphetamine) in Quiapo, Manila four years ago. In his nine-page decision, Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 41 Judge Rodolfo Ponferrada found accused Hassan Mama Mauna, a native of Marawi City and a resident of 645 Carlos Palanca St., Quiapo, guilty beyond reasonable doubt of shabu possession. Ponferrada said Mauna was meted the life sentence for violation of Section 16, Article III of the Revised Penal Code and also ordered to pay a fine of P500,000. [continues 215 words]
Malacanang yesterday shrugged off a report recently released by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States citing the Philippines as among the top countries which export heroin in the world. Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye, in his regular press conference at the Palace, said the report should not yet be taken seriously as it had yet to be verified by the US Drug Enforcement Agency. He though underscored the government's "successful" campaign to stem the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country with the recent arrests of transnational manufacturers and local distributors of illicit substances. [continues 652 words]
