Barangay kagawad falls in Makati drug sting

MANILA, Philippines -  A 51-year-old barangay kagawad or councilman in Makati City was arrested in an anti-narcotics operation on Tuesday afternoon.

Virgilio Awit Jr., councilman of Barangay East Rembo,  was apprehended after he sold a sachet of shabu worth P1,500 to a police officer who posed as a buyer, case investigator Inspector Jeson Vigilla said.

Vigilla said Awit tried to escape but was cornered by police after a brief chase.

Probers said they recovered from Awit three more sachets of shabu and drug paraphernalia.

Awit is being held at the Makati police detention cell on charges of violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

According to police, Awit represented Barangay East Rembo in the meetings of the city’s peace and order council. He also participated in anti-drug operations in the village.

Mayor Abigail Binay lauded police for the arrest of Awit.

“There will be no sacred cows in the war on drugs” Binay said.

In Caloocan City, John Rey Obando, said to be involved in the illegal drug trade, was killed in an alleged shootout with police on Tuesday.

Obando died at the scene.

Police said Obando was on the drug watchlist of Barangay 171 in Bagumbong.

Authorities said the suspect was also involved in a series of robberies in the area.