Village chief nabbed in Marinduque drug bust operation

MANILA, Philippines - As the local barangay election draws near, authorities arrested another elected barangay official in a buy-bust operation in Marinduque for violating the anti-drug law, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said on Tuesday.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. identified the suspect as Jerrico Molbog, 37, the incumbent Barangay Chairman of Barangay Nangka Uno, Mogpog, Marinduque.

Molbog has been under close surveillance by the PDEA and among the watch-listed drug personalities in Marinduque, Cacdac said.

"Molbog is the first incumbent Barangay Captain who was arrested by our operatives since the campaign period started last week. He is the eighth barangay captain arrested since January of this year and he is also a re-electionist candidate," Cacdac said.

Last Oct. 20, at about 1:15 p.m., joint operatives of PDEA Regional Office IV-B, Boac Municipal Police Station, and agents from the PNP Provincial and Regional Intelligence Division conducted a buy-bust operation in Barangay Balimbing, Boac, Marinduque which led to the arrest of Molbog.

Seized from his possession were two sachets of shabu, a motorcycle and the two P500 bills used as buy-bust money.

"As the lead Agency enforcing the anti-drug law, we encourage our citizens to carefully choose the officials that they will vote for this coming barangay elections since they will lead the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils in our communities," Cacdac said.

The seized pieces of drug evidence were surrendered to the Marinduque Crime Laboratory Office while the suspect is presently under the custody of Boac police.

Charges for violation of Sections 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and 11 (Possession), Article II, of Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared against Molbog.