6 arrested in Tondo drug den

MANILA, Philippines — Six persons were arrested before dawn yesterday during a raid on a house in Tondo, Manila reportedly used as a drug den.

The house is on Jose Abad Santos street and a few meters away from the barangay hall of Barangay 212, Zone 9.

Superintendent Gerry Corpuz, Manila Police District Station 7 commander, said they staged a sting after receiving information that the occupants of the house were involved in illegal drugs.

After a successful test buy, anti-narcotics operatives barged into the house and allegedly caught Jayson Ochoa, 25; Annie Castro, 50; Aldrin Dayao, 24; Osesan Dionisio, 28; Sarah Santiago, 24, and Joana Marie Oliveros, 25, using methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

Police recovered nine sachets of shabu from the suspects.

Corpuz said he talked to barangay chief Carmelita Francisco, who claimed to have no knowledge that the house was being used as a drug den.

In eastern Metro Manila, three persons were arrested in separate stings on Wednesday.

Jover Barriga, 38, was arrested in Barangay Concepcion Uno, Marikina just before 9 p.m. Five sachets of shabu, a coin purse and P500 marked money were allegedly confiscated from Barriga.

Del Reynoso, 42, was arrested in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig just before noon. Four sachets of shabu and P200 marked money were reportedly seized from him.

Several hours later, Wilfredo Tamayo, 39, was arrested in Barangay Pineda. He allegedly yielded four sachets of shabu and P200 marked money.