Teen drug detainee dies in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — An 18-year-old drug suspect died while in police custody in Quezon City over the weekend.

Police identified the fatality as Kristine Joy Sarmiento, who died at the female detention facility of the Talipapa police station. 

Based on initial police reports, Sarmiento was heard moaning by her fellow detainees at around 1:20 a.m. on Saturday.

After a few hours, Sarmiento lost consciousness, prompting authorities to bring her to the Quezon City General Hospital where she was declared dead on arrival.

Police Lt. Col. Alex Alberto, Talipapa station chief, said the detainee was suffering from asthma.

Sarmiento was kept in a less crowded detention cell due to her illness, Alberto said.

Probers said Sarmiento had been given medicine for flu on Feb. 1.

Sarmiento was arrested during a drug sting on Dec. 15 last year at the Macaspac Compound with her partner and another cohort. 

Sarmiento was held on charges of possession of illegal drugs and paraphernalia.

Prior to her death, Alberto said Sarmiento’s family had been processing her bail for her supposed release today. 

Police said there was no foul play in Sarmiento’s death, adding that an autopsy is set to be conducted on her remains.

In Manila, Laurence Santiago, 45, and Gina Oliva, 44, were arrested in a drug sting in Binondo yesterday.

Santiago and Oliva allegedly yielded 18 sachets of shabu and drug paraphernalia.

Three other drug suspects were nabbed in Manila. They were Eduardo Molera, 36; Maryjane Palmes, 35, and Jeffrey Combes, 26.

Ten persons were apprehended for drug possession in Pasay, Pasig, Mandaluyong and Marikina. – Rey Galupo, Non Alquitran, Robertzon Ramirez