Two brothers, tagged as high-value targets, were arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by joint anti-drug operatives in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental recently.
In a report released on Saturday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency identified the suspects as Jessie James Magaso, 34, and his brother Gemon, 31, both of Kabankalan.
They were caught selling P20,000 worth of suspected shabu to a poseur-buyer in their house along Rojas Street, Barangay 6, at around 2:20 p.m. during the operation carried out by agents of PDEA-Negros Occidental together with personnel of the Kabankalan City Police Station.
Operatives seized about 55 grams of shabu, valued at P374,000, along with drug paraphernalia such as an improvised tooter, rolled tin foil, scissors, and empty plastic sachets, a PNA report showed.
The suspects are now detained at the police station, and are facing charges for violation of Section 5 in relation to Section 26 (b) and Section 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Meanwhile, members of the PDEA-6 Regional Barangay Drug Clearing Program Team, and PDEA-NOCPO, led by Donelyn Hemedez, assistant regional director, conducted Balay Silangan orientations in several cities and towns of Negros Occidental.
On Jan. 14, an orientation was held at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City and attended by Mayor Neil Lizares and members of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council.
Discussed were the roles and responsibilities of the Regional Oversight Committee in establishing a drug reformation program facility and the functions of support institutions and other implementers in the community, the PDEA 6 said.
The establishment of a Balay Silangan facility in Talisay was also tackled during the meeting as part of PDEA’s harm reduction efforts.
Similar orientations were held in Bago City, also on Jan. 14, and attended by Mayor Nicholas Yulo, Vice Mayor Ramon Torres, Vice Mayor, P/Lt. Gener Buena – deputy of the Bago City Police Station, and CADAC members; in Cadiz City on Jan. 13, attended by Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. and CADAC members; In the town of Toboso, attended by Mayor Richard Jaojoco, MLGOO Mariju Cabalfin, P/Capt. Paul Kenneth Magan – Toboso MPS chief, P/SSg John Ford Damarelio – PCR, Municipal Health Officer Kristine Ureta, members of the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council and barangay captains; and in San Carlos City, with Mayor Rene Gustillo, City Administrator Estefanio Libutan Jr., P/Col. Arthur Baybayan – OIC of the San Carlos PNP, City Health Officer Arnel Portuguez, and Ana Liza Macaraya – CADAC secretariat and other members, both on Jan. 12, the PDEA added.*
