9 caught repacking marijuana in Tondo motel

MANILA, Philippines — Nine persons, including two criminology graduates, were arrested after they were caught repacking marijuana leaves in a motel in Tondo, Manila before dawn yesterday.

Albert Estrada Jao, 25; Fredmar Magat Borja, 24; Patrick Joaban Bernabe, 22; May Pearl Montoya Lorenzo, 21; John Mark Sican Magat, 20; Bilal Timothy Naceno and Roel Geroda Basa, both 19; Marlon de Asis, 18; and a 17-year-old boy were also caught smoking marijuana and drinking in one of the rooms of Minitel as they repacked at around 5 a.m.

Investigators did not say which of the suspects were criminology graduates but confirmed there are two of them.

Police officers from the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 1 seized 175 grams of marijuana, in a plastic bag and several sachets, with an estimated street value of P6,000.                    

Each sachet of marijuana would be sold for P100 each, police said.

The MPD Station 1 said it received a call from the motel’s owner after employees took note of people going to the same room.

2 dead in drug shootings

Meanwhile, a man and a woman said to be involved in the illegal drug trade were killed in separate shootings in Quezon City starting Sunday night.

Ronnie Mendoza, 42, was shot dead outside his house along Don Sergio Extension in Barangay Holy Spirit at around 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

Jenicar Gonzales, 30, was gunned down near a covered basketball court along Kalayaan B street in Barangay Batasan Hills at around 10 a.m. yesterday.

Probers said Gonzales allegedly continued to be involved in the illegal drug trade despite surrendering to authorities last year.