Two get life, P1-M fine for selling shabu in Malab

Two young men were sentenced to a life term each by the Malabon Regional Trial Court (RTC) for selling 211 grams of shabu in a police buy-bust operation in Malabon City last April.

Malabon RTC Judge Benjamin Aquino (Branch 72) also ordered Jamil Mala, 24, married and Rusty Bala, 18, single, both jobless, of 69 Baltazar Street, Caloocan City to pay a fine of P1-million each and the costs of litigation.

The shabu contained in two plastic bags with 105 grams each was turned over to Police Inspector Sandra Decena-Go, forensic chemist of the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory.

In convicting the suspects, the court ruled that denial is a weak defense in a criminal prosecution. "It cannot prevail over a positive clear and convincing testimony to the effect that a crime was committed and the accused were the ones who committed the same. Also, the police enjoy the presumption of regularity in the performance of their duties," the court ruled.

The court also said that the suspects’ insinuated claim of "planting of evidence" is a usual defense of drug pushers that deserves little weight or consideration. – Jerry Botial