Village councilor, 3 others nabbed in Bicol buy-busts

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines — A village councilor and three other suspects were nabbed in separate buy-bust operations in Catanduanes and Camarines Sur on Saturday.

Col. Paul Abay, Catanduanes police chief, said in a report that Pio Dela Cruz, 44, was arrested in Barangay San Miguel, Panganiban town at around 10:20 a.m.

Dela Cruz, a councilor of the said village, was included in the regional and national watchlist of illegal drug personalities.

Recovered from him were 28 sachets of suspected crystal meth, locally known as shabu, and a .22-caliber firearm with three live bullets.

In Camarines Sur, Jason Pontillas, 29; Edo Tanada, 19; and Gregorio Bayta, 21, all residents of Sagrada, Baao town, were arrested at a checkpoint in Barangay San Agustin, Iriga City at around 12:50 a.m.

Lt. Col. Elmer Mora, city police chief, said the suspects, on-board a motorcycle tried to escape but were cornered by the police.

When the authorities tried to verify their identities, Bayta threw a pouch containing two sachets of suspected shabu.

/atm