Photo from Makati City police
Fliptopper rapper Loonie, who was arrested last year during a buy-bust that yielded P100,000 worth of “kush” (high-grade marijuana), is now out on a P2-million bail, the Bureau of Jail and Penology Management (BJMP) said on Saturday.
Loonie, whose real name is Marlon Peroramas, and his coaccused and road manager David Rizon walked out of the Makati City jail on Friday night after paying P2 million and P503,000 in bail, respectively, BJMP spokesperson Xavier Solda said.
Both were arrested in September last year during a buy-bust operation, and were subsequently charged with violating Section 5 (trading) of the illegal drugs act.
Positive for marijuana
The men were also charged with using drugs after the men tested positive for marijuana.
The city prosecutors’ office initially recommended no bail for the two men, but a Makati court granted their petition to post bond during trial.
Also arrested during the buy-bust were Loonie’s sister and manager, Idyll Liza; his assistant Ivan Agustin; and their driver, Albert Alvarez.
Framed?
Agustin, who was charged with mere use of illegal drugs (a lower offense than Section 5) was already released over a P3,000 bail, while Alvarez was released last year for further investigation.
Loonie’s camp had argued that they were framed by the police, who caught them selling 15 packs of kush during the buy-bust at a basement of a hotel in Poblacion, Makati.
At the time, the famous fliptopper claimed he was only at the hotel to attend the birthday party of a leukemia-stricken fan.