P720K shabu seized from 2 alleged high-value targets in Las Piñas

Shabu (crystal meth) | INQUIRER.net stock photo

MANILA, Philippines — At least P720,000 worth of suspected crystal meth or shabu were seized from two alleged high-value targets in Las Piñas City after a buy-bust operation early Thursday morning, according to the Southern Police District (SPD).

Las Piñas Police chief Col. Jaime Santos said Renald Manzala, 40; and Francis Villanueva, 45, were arrested during the operation along Purple Road, Gatchalian Subdivision in Barangay Manuyo Dos.

Recovered from them were around 106 grams of shabu placed in a tiny sachet and two medium sachets, a P1,000 bill, and nine other P1,000 bills used in the buy-bust operation.

Both suspects are residents of Las Piñas, and have been listed as high-value individuals, police said.

SPD director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg said the arrest of Manzala and Villanueva is proof that the drug war is still ongoing. He also asked the public to continue providing details to the police so it could rid communities of illegal drugs.

“Ang ating laban kontra illegal na droga ay hindi pa tapos, maraming tao pa rin ang ayaw tumigil sa pagbebenta at pag gamit ng pinagbabawal na gamot,” Macaraeg said.

(Our fight against illegal drugs is not yet finished, a lot of people have not stopped selling and using illegal drugs.)

“Pakiusap ko sa ating mga kababayan na tulungan po ninyo ang inyong kapulisan sa pagbabantay, at maaring ipagbigay alam sa awtoridad kung may nalalaman na patuloy sa ganitong kalakaran sa inyong lugar,” he added.

(My request is for Filipinos to continue helping the police officers in securing the communities and provide authorities if such activities are still ongoing in your respective areas.)

—With reports from Nicole Faye Agcaoili, trainee

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