3 soldiers eyeing promotion face raps over drug paraphernalia

Drugs and drug paraphernalia. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO/TETCH TUPAS TORRES

CEBU CITY — Charges are being filed on Monday (Feb. 27) against three members of the Philippine Army who were arrested for alleged possession of illegal drug paraphernalia in a makeshift room in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City on Saturday.

Corporals Joar Francisco, George Gutierrez, and Edrelle Bayles were  caught in alleged possession of a disposable lighter and a hand-made tube, and tin foil believed to be used as a funnel.  The Army Central Command also said the three were eyeing to be promoted.

Operatives of the Guadalupe Police Station responded to a call from a concerned citizen about gambling activities in Sitio Yoreco, Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.

When they arrived at the place, the police arrested four civilians for possession of illegal drugs.

They were Joji Bentulan, 40; Riel Gabijan, 49; Rochelle Perez, 30; and Raymundo Bayno, 50.

Recovered from the four suspects were two plastic packs of shabu and drug paraphernalia.

They also arrested the three soldiers inside a suspected drug den.

Charges of violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being filed against the suspects at the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office.

The three army corporals — all natives of Davao City — who are currently taking refresher courses at the Cebu-based Armed Forces’ Central Visayas Command for possible promotion, refused to issue a statement to the media.

Lieutenant Colonel Luzmindo Mamaug, spokesperson of the Central Command, said Francisco, Gutierrez, and Bayles would likely be dismissed from the service.  SFM/rga

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