PRO8 files raps vs. 2 drug suspects in Northern Samar

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
November 22, 2012

CAMP SEC. KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte  –  The police in Northern Samar filed anti-drug charges against two persons arrested on Sunday evening who were found in possession of illegal drugs and paraphernalia.

“Cases for illegal drugs and paraphernalia possession were filed by our men against the two men whom they arrested in a hotel room in Catarman,” Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria said.

The cases, docketed under NPS number VIII-11-INQ-12K-00038 for violation of sections 13 and 14, Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, were forwarded against the suspects at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Catarman, Northern Samar on November 20, 2012.

Soria identified the suspects as a certain Andrew Engo y Panzo, 35, married, an overseas Filipino worker and Severino Mongas y Estuaria alias Benny, 34, married, vendor, residents of University Homes, Brgy. UEP-Zone 3 and Purok 5, Brgy.Baybay, all in Catarman, Northern Samar, respectively.

According to reports reaching PRO8, the suspects were collared by police operatives of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) in Northern Samar led by Police Senior Inspector Joseph Imperial inside room 311 of the Riverview Hotel at Brgy. Sampaguita at around 9:50 o’ clock in the evening of November 18.

Recovered by the police from the suspect were one big heat-sealed sachet containing suspected “shabu”, cash amounting to P8,870.00, 3 units NOKIA mobile phones, 3 lighters marked LCC, one match containing cigarette butt, 2 plastic bottles of mineral water, 3 aluminum foils, an improvised totter, aluminum needle, 2 crumpled aluminum foils, small sachet containing suspected “shabu” residue, a plastic trashcan containing 2 empty small cellophane with suspected “shabu” and 10 pieces P100.00 bill used as marked money.

Inventory of the evidences was witnessed by Brgy. Kagawads Judith Mendador and Edmund Ruiz and Mr. Boy Besarino of DYSM - Aksyon Radio. Confiscated items were turned-over to the Northern Samar Provincial Crime Laboratory Office for examination.

“They would be spending the rest of their lives in jail if the court finds them guilty as charged,” the police regional chief added.

Soria informed that according to the law, any person found possessing any dangerous drug during a party, or at a social gathering or meeting, or in the proximate company of at least two persons, shall suffer the maximum penalty of life imprisonment as provided for in Sections 11 and 13, Article II of RA 9165 regardless of the quantity and purity of such dangerous drugs.

“Meanwhile, a penalty of imprisonment ranging from 6 months and one day to 4 years and a fine ranging from P10,000.00 to P50,000.00 shall be imposed upon any person who shall possess or have under his control drug paraphernalia in the proximate company of at least 2 persons,” Soria added, citing provisions in Sections 12 and 14, Article II of the dangerous drugs law.