6 students indeed used illegal drugs

CEBU, Philippines — All six senior high school students caught having a marijuana session at the back of the Cebu City Sports Center on Wednesday were positive for illegal drugs, results of their tests revealed.

Five of them tested positive for marijuana use while one tested positive for shabu.

Senior Inspector Greg Ybiernas, deputy chief of Abellana Police Station, said the results will aggravate the drug charges filed before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday against all of the six, except for the two minors.

The minors are still in custody of Operation Second Chance, a facility for juvenile delinquents in Barangay Kalunasan. They will be subject to rehabilitation and lectures by respective authorities.

Police said the following students have been charged: Angelo Tanud-tanud, 19, from Barangay Capitol Site; Clark Deiparine, 19, from the same barangay; Kurt John Rizon, 18, from Kamagong, Barangay Lahug; and Mark Daniel Ginzelvo, 18, from B. Rodriguez, Barangay Sambag2, all of Cebu City. They are detained in the Abellana Police Station stockade.

Following the incident, Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, Police Regional Office-7 director, has directed personnel from the Police Community Relations Office to coordinate with the Department of Education to raise drug awareness in schools.

He has also told police stations to closely coordinate with principals and guidance counselors, as an initiative on their part to stop drug abuse among children.

“I have already directed my people to coordinate with the respective officials. Sila mismo locally, we will coordinate sa mga guidance counselors, mga principal. Dili na nila paabuton sa region. Kami sa region, we will discuss it at the region level. We will do our best,” Sinas said.

He added that all police assistance desks will be put up in schools, especially in ones with big student populations.

“Until now we have directed our police stations to maintain their desks sa mga dagko nga eskwelahan just to prevent nga mahitabo na pud,” he said.

Sinas also said police will hold dialogues with fraternities and gangs to prevent them from stirring trouble and recruiting students.

‘Drug Mules’ Charged

Meanwhile, the three women who were arrested last week for allegedly entering the Cebu City Jail with drugs stuffed in their private parts are now facing criminal complaints before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office.

Cebu City Jail Warden Renante Rubio told The FREEMAN that charges for violation of Section 11 (illegal possession of dangerous drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act have been filed against Estelia Orcullo, 44; Rosalina Baylosis, 33; and Tennie Olaño, 45.

Allegedly, the three hid prohibited drugs inside their genitals. The discovery came after they were searched by female jail guards upon entering the jail premises. —/JMD (FREEMAN)