Taguig court metes life sentence vs 3 big-time drug traffickers

Justice (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

The Taguig City regional trial court sentenced to life imprisonment three drug traffickers arrested in the city in 2011 with two kilograms of high-grade cocaine.

In a statement from Taguig City issued on Tuesday, the convicted drug peddlers were Jose Vastine, Edilberto Ty and Albert Joaquin Ong. They were all declared guilty of violating the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, authorities said.

Judge Antonio Olivete, of Taguig City RTC Branch 267, handed the decision on Monday, Sept. 3. The three were also fined P500,000 and will also undergo a six-month rehabilitation program, according to the statement.

Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano lauds the court decision saying this is also a victory in the city’s fight against illegal drug trafficking.

“We’ve always been confident that the people would win this litigation,” said Mayor Lani. “This is a fitting conclusion. It is proof that the city is committed to the safety and well-being of Taguigeños.”

Vastine, Ty and Ong were nabbed in a buy-bust operation in 2011 by the Taguig PNP, which confisctaed two kilograms of high-grade cocaine worth P10 million. The sting is only one of the many police operations that caught big-time drug players in the illegal trade.

Prior to this, the Taguig PNP also dismantled the Tinga Drug Syndicate with the arrest and conviction of its members Joel Tinga and Elisa “Ely” Tinga. They were also sentenced to reclusion perpetua (life) for selling illegal drugs in September 2016 and February 2017, respectively.

The Taguig court also ordered the transfer of Vastine, Ty and Ong to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City for proper custody. /jpv

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