Mayor accidentally walks into illegal drug trade in Mabalacat
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) — Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo on Wednesday abruptly walked into an illegal drug trade while doing the rounds to visit bedridden residents in the area.
In a video uploaded on Facebook, the mayor was seen passing by Barangay Poblacion when he suddenly saw three men exchanging suspicious items in a street corner.
Being skeptical about their behavior, Garbo and his aides immediately grabbed the alleged drug buyer while the two other suspected pushers ran away. The suspect was turned over to the city police.
«Wala naman nakuhang ebidensya in his possession but he volunteered to be an asset and because of this, Mabalacat PNP conducted a buy-bust operation,» the mayor said in a statement.
[Translation: No evidence was found in his possession but he volunteered to be an asset and because of this, Mabalacat PNP conducted a buy-bust operation.]
The follow up anti-drug operation resulted in the arrest of two suspects identified as Jerson Balajadia Dela Cruz and Sarex Serrano Bulaon alias «Ontok.» Three sachets of heat-sealed transparent plastic containing suspected shabu with a street value of ₱500 were seized from them.
«Let this serve as a lesson and another warning to everyone who is engaged in such activities,» the mayor said. «Hindi namin kayo sasantuhin [Translation: We will not tolerate you].»
The suspects will face charges of violating Section 5 (selling of dangerous drugs) and Section 11 (possession of dangerous drugs) of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Pampanga Governor Dennis «Delta» Pineda, meanwhile, praised Garbo for his immediate action and courage in campaigning against illegal drugs.
«Ang tapang ni Mayor Garbo,» he said. «Siya mismo ang nanghuli sa isang lalaki na kumilos ng kakaiba at nakitaan na may dalang ilegal na droga.»
[Translation: Mayor Garbo is brave. He himself caught a man who was behaving strangely and was found to be carrying illegal drugs.]
