American in Cebu jailed for marijuana possession

CEBU CITY, Philippines– An American national ended up in jail after police allegedly found in his possession 20 sticks of marijuana when they accosted him for drunken behavior in Mandaue City on Sunday night.

Jerry Coville, 36, a resident of Barangay (village) Guadalupe, Cebu City will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act and an ordinance that prohibits drunkenness in public places, said Police Officer 1 Frederick Andales.

Andales, desk officer of Subangdaku police station, said they received a telephone call past 8 p.m. Sunday from a resident, complaining that Coville was very drunk and was causing trouble in Barangay Tipolo.

Andales said Coville had challenged to a fist fight any person he met on the road and did the same to the policemen when they found him in the area.

When Coville arrived at the police station, they frisked him as part of the standard operating procedure and recovered the marijuana sticks from him, he added.

In the Philippines, marijuana is classified as a dangerous drug.

Andales said Coville was too drunk to answer questions about his background.