Prosecutor OKs drug charges vs Chavit son’s visitors

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City prosecutor’s office has recommended the filing of drug charges against the four foreigners arrested by Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson in his house last month.

In a five-page resolution, Assistant City Prosecutor Irene Resurreccion said there is probable cause to file charges against Britons James Gates, 22; Ross Barnaby MacLeod, 18; Jack McLeod, 19; and Australian Arthur Murray Nash, 19, for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. They have posted bail.

Singson said he allegedly caught them using drugs in his Corinthian Gardens home when he arrived from an out of town trip on Jan. 13.

In their counter-affidavit, the respondents denied the accusations. They said they were friends with Singson’s son, Christian, and they met the governor as they were about to leave. They said Singson’s bodyguard frisked them but found tobacco on Nash’s person and a cigarette from Gates, not drug paraphernalia.