By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Five individuals arrested in two separate anti-drug operations in Roxas City and Mambusao, Capiz, on Feb. 15, have been formally charged with violating RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Charges were filed before the City and Provincial Prosecutor’s Offices following their arrests.
A joint operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) led to the arrest of three individuals after raiding a drug den along Philippines Railway Street, Barangay Punta Tabuc, Roxas City.
The suspects were identified as Edcel Bandojo, 46, of Punta Tabuc, Roxas City; Ryan Buot, 22, of Barangay Tinaytayan, Dumarao, Capiz; and Andy Alejandro, 38, of Barangay Guinotos, Dumarao, Capiz.
Police records revealed that Bandojo was previously arrested in a buy-bust operation but was released after entering a plea bargain agreement. He denied involvement in the illegal drug trade and claimed he was wrongfully accused.
Buot and Alejandro also denied being involved in illegal drugs, insisting they were at the house to meet a woman for a sexual service, not to engage in drug-related activities.
Authorities recovered 13 sachets of suspected shabu from the suspects.
Police also noted that an adjacent nipa hut had previously been raided for the same offense, resulting in multiple arrests.
Mambusao Drug Bust
In a separate operation, the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) led by PCPT. Dinnes Los Bañes arrested two more individuals in a buy-bust operation in Poblacion Proper, Mambusao, Capiz.
The suspects were identified as alias “Vincent” of Poblacion Tabuc, Mambusao and alias “John” of Poblacion Proper, Mambusao.
Police recovered three sachets of suspected shabu weighing eight grams, with an estimated standard drug price of PHP54,400, along with PHP2,500 buy-bust money and PHP100 boodle money.
According to Mambusao MPS reports, authorities monitored and conducted surveillance for one month before launching the operation.
The suspects are currently detained at the Roxas City Police Station and Mambusao Municipal Police Station (MPS).
