Bacolod freshman faces drug raps over suspected marijuana

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Drug charges have been filed against an 18-year-old first-year college student who was recently caught with suspected marijuana during a routine inspection at a private university here, just days after classes opened this month.

Police Lt. Raphael Palacios, deputy chief of Police Station 4, said a criminal complaint for possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia was filed against the student.

According to police, the contraband was initially found in the student’s pocket amid heightened campus security measures following a series of recent school-related incidents in the country.

Further inspection also led security personnel to discover additional sachets of suspected marijuana concealed inside the student’s water tumbler.

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) reported that the student is classified as a street-level individual.

He was turned over by school security personnel to police, along with 10 grams of suspected dried marijuana leaves worth PHP 1,500 and assorted drug paraphernalia.

Police Col. Eugene Rebadomia, BCPO director, commended the prompt action of the security personnel and reiterated the importance of community participation in the campaign against illegal drugs.

He encouraged the public to continue working closely with police by reporting suspicious activities involving illegal drugs.

The case falls under Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which prohibits the unauthorized possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia.

The incident follows a similar case last month in which a 17-year-old high school student was caught with PHP 960 worth of suspected marijuana, along with a ceramic pipe, a pair of scissors, and a lighter, during a routine inspection at a public school in Bacolod City.