Cop, 7 others nabbed in Manila, Pasig drug busts

MANILA, Philippines - Eight persons, including a rookie policeman, were arrested in separate drug busts in Manila and Pasig City since Sunday night.

Police Officer 1 Mark John Azarcon, 33, was formerly detailed at the Obando, Bulacan police’s drug enforcement unit, said Superintendent Redentor Ulsano, Manila Police District Station 1 commander.

Azarcon was arrested along with Percy Tiatco, 19; Reynaldo Discipulo, 33; and Fidelito Doctolero, 35.

The police officers confiscated five sachets of shabu with a street value of P30,000; P24,000 marked money and drug paraphernalia.

Ulsano said the bust was staged after investigators confirmed Tiatco was willing to sell drugs. 

Azarcon – confirmed to be absent without leave since March 31 – was caught in Tiatco’s house during a followup operation while the two othes were caught having a pot session.

In Pasig City, Christian Ravelo, 24; Ramil Camposna, 22, and San Ninada were arrested yesterday for reportedly carrying a sachet of shabu each.

They yielded a total of three grams of shabu when they were frisked as they were walking along Lapu-Lapu Street during an anti-crime drive at around 3:30 p.m., said city police chief Senior Superintendent Jun Hidalgo. – Rey Galupo, Non Alquitran