Boracay habal-habal driver collared in anti-drug bust

By: Jennifer P. Rendon

A HABAL-HABAL (passenger motorcycle) driver in Boracay Island was arrested in a police anti-drug operation early morning of Aug. 2, 2019.

Police collared Jovanie Toquero, 37, at his house in Barangay Manoc-Manoc, Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan.

Toquero allegedly sold dried marijuana leaves worth P600 to an undercover cop.

Joint elements of Malay Police Station, Aklan Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 6 (PDEA-6) also recovered from the suspect dried marijuana leaves in five Ziplock bags, P600 buy bust money, and a glass pipe.

Toquero admitted that he is into the illegal drug trade.

He named his supplier as a certain Nico, a native of Taguig, who temporarily stays in the island.

Toquero said he got the idea of selling shabu after he noticed that several tourists, especially foreigners, are looking for it.

But aside from being a drug pusher, Police Major Jess Baylon, Malay police chief, said Toquero had been the suspect of several robbery and theft incidents victimizing tourists in Boracay. Baylon said the suspect operates with his group.

Toquero did not deny the accusation, although no criminal charge was filed against him.

He is now detained and will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).