Bato gets life for selling drugs

CEBU, Philippines — The Regional Trial Court has sentenced a man, who claimed to be a police asset, to life imprisonment after he was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for selling shabu.

 Judge Gilbert Moises convicted Jerry Bato, a resident of Barangay Ermita, Cebu City, for a violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, despite his denial.

 “Against the clear and direct testimony of the poseur-buyer, PO1 Rey Van Dadula, the accused cried foul claiming that the evidence against him was fabricated. However, this claim of total denial is uncorroborated and self-serving and cannot prevail over the positive declaration of the poseur buyer,” read the decision.

Bato is ordered to pay P500,000 fine.

On October 4, 2017, the Carbon police arrested Bato in a buy-bust operation.

The police said after the transaction was completed, they placed Bato under arrest.

Aside from the subject of sale, they were able to recover nine heat sealed transparent plastic sachets believed to be shabu from the possession of Bato.

Bato was charged for selling drugs and maintaining a drug den.

Bato, in his defense, denied the accusations filed against him.

Despite Bato’s denial, Moises found sufficient evidence that the former committed the crime but not for maintaining a drug den.

“Carefully reviewing the evidence of the prosecution, the court is convinced that the accused sold and possessed illegal drugs. After receiving numerous reports of his illegal activities, the report was verified and confirmed,” read the decision.

Aside from selling shabu, Bato was also convicted for possession of illegal drugs and sentenced to 12 years and one day to 20 years and to pay a fine of P500,000.

Violation of Section 6 (maintaining a drug den), Article II of RA 9165 was dismissed for insufficiency of evidence.

Couple Arrested

Meanwhile, a couple was apprehended during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Talamban early morning yesterday.

Couple Arthur and Sheryl Cajes, residents of Lawis, Barangay Pasil were nabbed for allegedly having in their possession 55.4 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated  value of  P360,100.

Chief Inspector Regino Maramag, Pardo Police Station chief, said that the information of the alleged illegal activity of the couple came from those they previously arrested.

"Kani sila dugay-dugay na gi-surveillance. Atong subject jud sa operation kay si Arthur," he said.  (They have been under surveillance for quite some time.  The subject of the operation was Arthur.)

He added that the two have been hiding from the authorities since they were already known 'drug lords'.

"Nag tago-tago na sila kay dugay na na sila gipangita sa mga operating units kay ilado na sila nga druglord," Maramag said.

They reportedly have a cohort identified as a certain "Omi" who is detained in Mandaue City since 2013 for a drug case.

Maramag added that the couple had previous drug cases that were dismissed. — Imarie Jane D. Madarieta, USJ-R Intern, MBG, (FREEMAN)