Woman busted, live-in partner escapes P340-K drug bust

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A woman was arrested while her live-in partner managed to escape from police operatives in a buy-bust at Purok Kagaykay, Barangay 2 here yesterday.

Police identified the suspects as Ferlene Joy Molate, 26, of Barangay Handumanan here; and her partner Louie Sombilla, 30, of Barangay 2.

Police Lieutenant Jonito Pastrana, deputy commander of Police Station 2, said Sombilla was able to jump to a riprap as the house was near a river.

Pastrana said they failed to run after him because it was too dark.

“Nag agi siya sa dalom balay ka neighbors niya,” he added.

Police recovered around 50 grams of suspected shabu worth P340,000, and the P500 marked money.

Pastrana said Molate is said to be a street level target, while Sombilla is considered a high value target since he was previously arrested for a drug offense and was released through plea bargaining in September 2019.

Pastrana said that Sombilla probably tapped Molate when he returned to the illegal drug trade.

Pastrana said somebody might just be sending the contraband and the couple repacks it for distribution.

Despite Sombilla’s escape, Pastrana said that he will still be charged for illegal drugs, along with Molate, who is detained at the police station.

Molate has yet to be reached for comment.