Police trace online marijuana seller linked to students

By Jennifer P. Rendon

ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo City Police Office is working to identify the source of suspected dried marijuana leaves recovered from high school students in the City Proper district.

Police Col. Wilbert Parilla, Iloilo City police chief, said the students claimed they obtained the illegal drugs from an online seller.

The transaction was allegedly arranged through the Messenger app, while payment was made through a mobile wallet.

Parilla said the ICPO sought assistance from the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 6 in tracing the individuals behind the alleged sale of marijuana to minors.

Three minors were caught smoking suspected dried marijuana leaves inside the campus of an integrated school in City Proper on July 27.

A teacher found the teenagers, ages 14, 15 and 16, smoking from a tooter in a corner of a condemned room at about 2 p.m.

Authorities later recovered a glass tooter containing visible dried leaves suspected to be marijuana.

School personnel had reportedly become more vigilant after two students were expelled the previous week for using marijuana.

Police said the three boys admitted using marijuana and identified their alleged source.

The 15- and 16-year-old boys were taken to Balay Dalayunan, while the 14-year-old was placed under the care of the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

Complaints alleging violations of Sections 11, 12 and 15 of Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, were filed against the 15- and 16-year-olds.

The provisions cover possession of dangerous drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and use of dangerous drugs, respectively. A charge under Section 15 requires a positive result following a confirmatory test.

The two minors were later released on bail.

Parilla said the ICPO would seek their placement in an appropriate institution for children in conflict with the law.

Under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, a child 15 or younger is exempt from criminal liability but must undergo an intervention program.

A child older than 15 but younger than 18 is likewise exempt unless authorities establish that the child acted with discernment.

The law also provides intervention and rehabilitation mechanisms, including placement in youth care facilities in qualifying cases.