Vlogger among five nabbed in PHP 748,000 drug busts

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Five people, including a vlogger, were arrested in separate anti-illegal drug operations here Tuesday that yielded PHP 748,000 worth of suspected shabu.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Island Region (PDEA-NIR) arrested a 35-year-old vlogger identified as “Jo” and his 32-year-old companion, Christian, both residents of Barangay 10, where the buy-bust operation was conducted.

PDEA-NIR tagged the two as alleged notorious drug pushers who reportedly yielded 13 sachets of suspected shabu weighing 50 grams and valued at PHP 340,000, along with an improvised tooter.

Authorities also seized marked money, a black pouch, a brown coin purse, two lighters, two cellphones, eight bankbooks, five automated teller machine cards, and a black shoulder bag.

The two suspects will face charges for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, covering the sale and possession of dangerous drugs, and Section 12, covering possession of drug paraphernalia, under Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In a media interview, the vlogger denied the allegations against him and his companion, saying they never engaged in illegal activity and did not deserve their situation.

PDEA-NIR maintained that its agents acted on information they had received.

Both suspects are detained at Police Station 2.

Meanwhile, the City Drug Enforcement Unit arrested a high-value individual and two street-level individuals in a buy-bust operation in Zone 1, Barangay Handumanan.

The operation yielded 60 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 408,000, along with four homemade firearms and ammunition.

The suspects were identified as alias “Noy,” 34, a high-value individual; “Mel,” 31, both residents of Barangay Handumanan; and “Bal,” 32, of Barangay Felisa.

Police said Noy was allegedly involved in the sale of illegal drugs and reportedly possessed several firearms obtained from his customers.

Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said further information indicated that Noy allegedly caused alarm and scandal when intoxicated, while concerned neighbors reported frequently seeing unidentified motorcycles and unfamiliar individuals entering and leaving his residence, even during the early morning hours.

During the operation, Mel allegedly assisted Noy and reportedly acted as a doorman, while Bal was identified as an alleged customer.

Authorities recovered 22 sachets of suspected shabu, PHP 1,000 in marked money, a homemade .45-caliber firearm loaded with seven rounds of live ammunition, three homemade .38-caliber firearms loaded with four rounds of live ammunition, a .45-caliber magazine loaded with seven rounds of live ammunition, and other non-drug items.

The three suspects are detained at Police Station 10.

The two operations yielded a combined 110 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 748,000.

In a statement, Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, PRO-NIR director, said the operation reflected the regional police force’s firm and continuing commitment to keeping illegal drugs and loose firearms out of communities.

“We will not allow illegal drugs and firearms to take root in our communities,” he added.

Cardiño assured the public that police would remain responsive to credible information, strengthen coordination among police units, and act decisively against those who put public safety at risk.