Two Charged in Roxas City Drug Bust

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Two of the six individuals arrested in a drug buy-bust operation on Friday evening in Barangay Punta Tabuc, Roxas City, have been charged with illegal drug use and trafficking.

Ma. Melinda Panaguiton, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-Capiz) provincial officer, said charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed against two male suspects who tested positive for illegal drug use.

The charges were filed before the Roxas City Prosecutor’s Office.

Charges against the other four suspects are being prepared and will be filed once their drug test results are available.

The PDEA-Capiz identified the suspects as Marilou Degala Abuyo, 54, the primary target of the operation; her 16-year-old 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.

The PDEA-Capiz had been monitoring Abuyo’s activities for some time, beginning when she lived in Barangay Tanque until she moved to Barangay Punta Tabuc, where the buy-bust operation took place.

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, while the minor suspect was turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.