Bacolod student faces drug raps over marijuana

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Authorities filed a drug-related criminal complaint against a 17-year-old high school student after suspected marijuana valued at PHP 960 that was recovered from him tested positive for the illegal drug.

Police Capt. Andy Ofalia, chief of Police Station 5, said the laboratory test results were released several days after the incident at a public high school on July 22.

Ofalia said the Department of Social Services and Development determined that the student had acted with discernment, allowing authorities to file complaints with the City Prosecutor’s Office for possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, children older than 15 but younger than 18 may face proceedings if they are found to have acted with discernment, or with an understanding of the difference between right and wrong and the consequences of their actions.

Ofalia did not disclose how the student allegedly obtained the contraband, citing his status as a minor.

Police took the student into custody after a school guard recovered three sachets of marijuana from his belt bag during a routine inspection at the entrance gate.

Authorities also recovered a ceramic pipe, a pair of scissors, and a lighter, police said.

The student remains in the custody of the Social Development Center, where he will undergo an intervention program addressing the effects of illegal drugs.

Philippine juvenile justice procedures require children allegedly involved in drug offenses to be handled through a child-sensitive process focused on intervention, rehabilitation, and reintegration rather than detention with adults.

The incident followed the recovery of suspected shabu from a 17-year-old Grade 9 student at another public high school in the city on July 20.

Laboratory testing later showed that the substance recovered in the earlier incident was negative for methamphetamine hydrochloride.