Three soldiers free after posting bail for drug raps

CEBU, Philippines - The three members of the Philippine Army who were caught in possession of drugs paraphernalia inside a makeshift shanty in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City on February 25 are now free after posting bail.

Corporals George Gutierrez, 35, of Panabo, Davao City; Edrelle Bayles, 35, of Baganga, Davao City; and Joar Acoba Francisco, 34, of Panacan, Davao City; all temporarily residing at the Central Command in  Camp Lapu-Lapu, Barangay Apas, Cebu City, each posted P40,000 bail for their temporary liberty.

On Friday, the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office elevated the case for violation of Section 12 (possession of drugs paraphernalia), Article I2 of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) against the three soldiers to the court.

Prosecutor II Benison Harayo found probable cause after the accused choose not to undergo preliminary investigation to answer the allegations filed against them, opting to face them in court.

Senior Police Officer 1 Leo Gallego and two others from the Guadalupe Police Station alleged that on around 2:30 p.m. on February 25, they responded to an illegal gambling alarm locally known as "hantak" in Sitio Yoreco, Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.

While walking in an alley, the policemen passed by a makeshift shanty where they saw Gutierrez, Bayles, and Francisco allegedly preparing drugs paraphernalia to sniff shabu.

The policemen placed the three under arrest and were able to recover from their possession disposable lighters, improvised hand-made tubes, and tin foil strips, which are common paraphernalia used in using shabu. (FREEMAN)