Baguio City drug surrenderee falls in buy-bust operation

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A drug surrenderee earlier tagged by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency as a member of a local drug syndicate was caught in a buy-bust operation in his house over the weekend.

 

Hillside resident Arjhay Fedelino "Chester" Simeon, 21 years old and unemployed, sold a plastic sachet containing suspected shabu worth P1,000 to an undercover agent prompting his arrest.

 

He is now detained at the Baguio City Jail and will be facing a case for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.  

 

PDEA-Cordillera Director Edgar Apalla reminded the public that a drug surrenderee is not immune from criminal liability for involvement in the illegal drug trade after surrendering.

 

The news comes on the heels of an announcement that the number of drug-affected barangays in Baguio City has been reduced to just six.

 

The Regional Oversight Committee of the PDEA declared barangays Campo Filipino, Dontogan, Ferdinand, GEFA/Lower Quirino-Magsaysay, Honeymoon, Pacdal, Padre Zamora, Pinsao Pilot Project, Quezon Hill Proper, Trancoville and Upper Rock Quarry drug-free.

 

Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation Number 3 series of 2017 provides the guidelines in implementing the Barangay Drug Clearing Program, where a barangay must comply with certain conditions in order to be declared as "drug-cleared".

 

The parameters are:

 

The DDB regulation also requires the active involvement of barangay officials in anti-drug activities and the involvement of the Sangguinang Kabataan to help maintain the drug-cleared status of their village.