Watchman at UPLB arrested for drugs

CAMP PACIANO RIZAL, Laguna—Police on Thursday filed charges against a member of a civilian security force in the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) after he was arrested by local police for selling illegal drugs.

Michael Villanta, 36, was arrested at around 4 p.m. on Wednesday in an entrapment operation along Pili Drive inside the university, according to Laguna police director Senior Supt. Pascual Muñoz in a text message.

Villanta is a member of the UPLB Community Support Brigade, a group of civilians and village watchmen formed under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs to provide additional security in the campus.

PO1 Rommel Montecillo of the Los Baños police said an informant tipped them off about Villanta’s alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade. He said they recovered a sachet of suspected “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) from the suspect, who told an undercover policeman that it was his “last stash for the day.” Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon