Hospital Visitor Faces Charges for Drug Possession

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Criminal charges have been filed against a hospital visitor caught with a sachet of suspected shabu on the afternoon of Feb. 23.

Captain Joebert Amado, chief of Iloilo City Police Station 5, said the suspect, alias “Bong,” 31, of San Enrique, Iloilo, was charged before the Iloilo City Prosecutor’s Office on Feb. 25.

He was charged with violating Sections 11 (illegal possession) and 15 (use) of Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Bong was arrested as he was about to enter the Western Visayas Medical Center on W. Abeto Street, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

He was allegedly asked to look after a friend confined in the hospital’s psychiatric ward.

During a routine bag inspection, security personnel found a sachet of suspected shabu in his pocket.

He was immediately taken to the Regional Forensic Unit 6 for a drug test.

Test results on Feb. 26 confirmed he was positive for illegal drug use.

Authorities said the suspect admitted to using illegal drugs.

He was also identified as an Oplan Tokhang surrenderer.

However, Amado noted that Bong had no prior drug-related arrests.