Bigtime drug ‘traders’ face raps

CEBU, Philippines — Two bigtime drug players, including a 19-year-old boy, in Cebu City are facing charges before the court.

Henry Tabalin Jr. and his alleged cohort, 26-year-old Pejay Villanueva, were indicted for violating Section 5 (selling of drugs), Article II of Republice Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Act.

They were arrested in a buy-bust operation on June 9 inside Tabalin’s boarding house in Sitio Kalamansi, Barangay Mambaling.

Police recovered shabu weighing 475.3 grams from the suspects.

Police Officer 1 Daryl Guillermo of Special Operations Unit-5 of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group said the suspects were engaged in the illegal drug trade and other unlawful operations.

Based on police intelligence reports, the suspects were trading drugs in Barangay Mambaling and its neighboring villages like Duljo Fatima.

Guillermo said Tabalin was reportedly a big time supplier with a drug distribution network.

In an inquest proceeding, both suspects opted not to answer the accusation filed against them. Instead, they manifested to face it before the court.

Thus, Deputy City Prosecutor Maria Theresa Calibugan-Casiño recommended the filing of case before the court.

No bail was also recommended for the suspects’ temporary liberty. — KBQ (FREEMAN)