BACOLOR, Pampanga – A barangay tanod chief in this town and two others were arrested by anti-narcotics agents during a drug bust at Barangay Sta. Ines Wednesday, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency announced.
PDEA 3 director Juvenal Azurin identified the suspects as Francisco Manabat, 50, chief Bantay Bayan; Cesar Sta. Cruz, 49, and Willie Marin, 53, all residents in said village.
Manabat is included in the illegal drugs target list of personalities operating in this town. He was placed under surveillance due to his alleged involvement in prohibited substance.
Azurin said both Marin and Sta. Cruz are among those who surrendered to authorities at the height of “Oplan Tokhang” operations in Pampanga.
On Wednesday, PDEA3 agents and policemen launched buy bust leading to the arrest of the suspects.
Governor Lilia Pineda had warned government officials not to engage in illegal activities or face the consequences of their actions. The governor has repeatedly aired her warning during illegal drugs forum in the province.
Bacolor Mayor Jose Maria “Jomar” Hizon even offered cash reward for every arrest of illegal drugs street peddler. The bounty will come from the pocket of the mayor.
Azurin said the suspects were arrested after they handed quantitative amount of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) to PDEA poseur buyer past 7 p.m.
Confiscated from the suspects include five pieces of small heat-sealed plastic sachets containing six grams of shabu; 30 grams of dried leaves of marijuana and a buy-busy money used in the drug bust.
The suspects are detained at PDEA detention cell in Camp Olivas. Violation of the Comprehensie Dangerous Drugs Act is being readied against them.