No bail for OFW in shabu bust

A Pasay City prosecutor recommended no bail against an overseas Filipino worker, who was caught last Friday with 220 grams of shabu worth P1.2 million inside his suitcases at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Prosecutor Bonifacio Macabaya, of the Pasay City prosecutor’s office found sufficient evidence to support the illegal possession and transportation of illegal drugs charges against Arnel Gasga, 38, of 119 Looban street, Aniban, Bacoor, Cavite. But Macabaya ordered Gasga’s wife, Rosemarie, held for further investigation while the couple’s three children were released to the custody of their grandmothers.

The Gasga couple and their three children were about to embark on a flight for Milan, Italy when cornered Friday by a team headed by Superintendent John Sosito, of the police Anti-Drug Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOFT) at the initial check-in section, Lane 7, West Wing, departure area of NAIA.

Sosito said a male caller informed him that a certain Arnel Gasga would be leaving for Italy bringing with him an undetermined amount of shabu.

In coordination with airport officials, Sosito confirmed the departure of Gasga for Italy, where Arnel works as a factory worker.

Sosito said the 12 bags containing shabu were inserted and stacked inside the handles of two red suitcases belonging to the Gasga family.

Gasga vehemently denied owning the seized shabu.

He said the drugs could have been planted by somebody who was at the recent birthday party of his daughter . May galit lang sa akin na gustong gumanti," Arnel told Sosito during tactical interrogation. Arnel refused to elaborate.

According to Sosito, the result of the drug test conducted by the crime laboratory of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Arnel will be out within the week. The Gasga couple is detained at the Pasay City detention center. – Non Alquitran