Mother, son among six arrested in Roxas City drug bust

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A mother, her 17-year-old son, and four other individuals were arrested Thursday evening, August 29, in a drug buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Capiz in Brgy. Punta Tabuc, Roxas City.

Ma. Melinda Panaguiton, PDEA-Capiz provincial officer, identified the suspects as Marilou Degala Abuyo, 54, the primary target of the operation; her son, alias “Toto”; Maliza Delo Santos Magbanua, 31; Leonardo Capote Bendoy, 24; Ronmar Cañezares, 26; and Ronilo Araque. All are residents of Roxas City.

Authorities recovered 16 sachets of suspected shabu, weighing approximately 16 grams and valued at an estimated ₱108,800, from the suspects.

According to Panaguiton, PDEA-Capiz had been monitoring Abuyo’s activities for some time, beginning when she resided in Brgy. Tanque until she moved to Brgy. Punta Tabuc, where the buy-bust operation was conducted.

Panaguiton described the location where the suspects were apprehended as a drug den frequently used by clients during drug sessions.

The suspects are currently in the custody of PDEA-Capiz and have undergone drug testing. Charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against them.

Meanwhile, a separate drug buy-bust operation conducted by Tapaz Municipal Police Station on Thursday afternoon, August 29, in Barangay Carida, Tapaz, Capiz, led to the arrest of a farmer.

The suspect, alias “Jun,” 40, of Sitio Mawang, Barangay Candelaria, Tapaz, Capiz, was apprehended after handing over two sachets of suspected shabu to a police poseur-buyer. Authorities also recovered ₱1,100 in buy-bust money and a cellphone from the suspect.

He is currently under the custody of the Tapaz PNP station, and charges for violating Republic Act 9165 will be filed against him.