Teacher, 3 others caught in Roxas drug sting

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — An online teacher, a former drug suspect, and two others were arrested early Sunday, May 31, in a drug buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Barangay Mongpong, Roxas City.

Authorities raided an alleged drug den around 12:39 a.m. and arrested Darly Alovera Albay, the alleged drug den maintainer.

Also arrested inside the room were Joylyn Demalata, an online teacher and resident of Barangay Inzo Arnaldo; Julius Baler; and Eldrin Amores.

Baler and Amores are residents of Barangay Mongpong.

Police said Albay was arrested and jailed in August 2021 for the same offense but was released through a plea bargaining agreement.

Recovered from the suspects were 10 sachets of suspected shabu worth PHP 60,000; PHP 1,000 in marked money; aluminum foil; several empty plastic sachets; aluminum foil with suspected shabu residue; and lighters.

Albay denied owning the recovered illegal items when they were presented by police, saying he had changed and stopped using illegal drugs.

Baler said he was not part of the illegal transactions and was merely asked to pick up something at the house, which he said he usually did.

However, Baler admitted using illegal drugs before PDEA agents arrived.

Demalata also denied involvement in the illegal transactions, saying she went there to ask for help and was surprised when PDEA agents arrived.

Mongpong Punong Barangay Ricardo Donato confirmed that Albay’s name was on the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council list.

Donato said he had received several reports about unidentified people visiting Albay’s house.

Donato said he had continued reminding his constituents about the dangers and legal consequences of using and selling illegal drugs.

The suspects are detained at the PDEA facility and will undergo drug tests.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed against them.