Minor faces drug charge in court

CEBU, Philippines - A minor was charged in court for possession of drug paraphernalia after the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office has found probable cause to indict him of violation of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The 16-year-old accused was arrested a week ago during a police operation in Barangay Tisa.

 "The said accused with deliberate intent and without being authorized by law, did then and there have in his possession and under his control the (paraphernalia) which are instruments and/or equipment intended for smoking, consuming, administering, ingesting or introducing any dangerous drug into the body," Prosecutor Rhodna Alcala-Bacatan stated in the Information of the case filed in court.

Under the law, a penalty of imprisonment ranging from six months to four years and a fine from P10, 000 to P50, 000 shall be imposed upon the person found guilty of possession of illegal drug paraphernalia.

The minor, name withheld, was arrested in the evening of October 12, 2016 along with two others. The police were on a roving patrol in San Jose Extension, Barangay Tisa when they noticed a group of people standing and talking beside an abandoned house which was reported as hideout of the drug addicts.

After seeing the two of the suspects getting inside the house, the police team checked on what were the people doing inside. As the police operatives were about to enter the house, they saw two people checking and comparing three small sachets of crystalline substance believed to be shabu, which prompted the police to immediately arrest them.

The persons were identified as Clifford Atillo and Van Allyne Suarez from whom the police seized two small sachets and another sachet of suspected shabu, respectively.

The police then proceeded inside the house where they saw the minor holding one disposable transparent glass tube and lighters. The minor was turned over to the custody of the social workers.

Under the new juvenile justice law, a child above 15 years old but below 18 years old can be exempt from criminal liability and be subjected to an intervention program unless he has acted with discernment. (FREEMAN)