Couple in Pasig City police’s 10 most wanted list arrested

MANILA, Philippines–A couple who ended up in the list of Pasig City’s 10 most wanted drug personalities were arrested along with their siblings in a drug bust on Saturday evening.

Live-in partners Andres Pasco III and Marla Santos, the city’s sixth and seventh most wanted drug personalities, respectively, were arrested at 7:20 p.m. in their house on Andrea Street, Villa Susana, Barangay (village) Caniogan, by members of the Station Anti-Illegal Drugs-Special Operations Task Group led by Chief Insp. Renato Castillo and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The couple yielded six sachets believed to contain methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” and a .38-cal. revolver.

At the same time, three more sachets were found in the possession of Santos’ two brothers, Jose and Joey, who acted as the couple’s runners, according to the police. The recovered drugs were worth P15,000.

Pasco’s brother, Norman, on the other hand, was arrested after he kicked one of the policemen.

PO3 Nelson Cruz said that Pasco had been under police surveillance after he posted bail early this year for possessing illegal drugs.

His business partner Alvin Santos, who was arrested with him and charged with selling illegal drugs, remained in jail, prompting Pasco to continue the illegal drug trade with his live-in partner.

Cruz added that with the arrest of Pasco and Marla Santos, they have so far caught five of the 10 most wanted drug offenders operating in Pasig City.

In November, police arrested Jaydee Chan and Jomar Libon, the second and third most wanted drug personalities, respectively. The following month, Jeffrey Dizon, the city’s ninth most wanted drug personality, was caught in a drug bust in Barangay Manggahan.

Pasco, Marla Santos and their siblings remained detained at the Pasig City Police station. Santos’ siblings face a case of possession of illegal drugs while she and her partner are to be charged with possession and selling of illegal drugs.

On top of that, Pasco will also be charged with illegal possession of a firearm while his brother faces an obstruction of justice charge.