Faeldon son negative for drugs, but…

Nicanor Faeldon Jr. (Photo from Police Regional Office – 5)

NAGA CITY — Although negative results of a test cleared him of suspicion of drug use, the son of Bureau of Corrections chief Nicanor Faeldon may still be charged for his mere presence in an “identified drug den” in this city, police said on Saturday.

Senior Supt. Felix Servita Jr., Naga City police chief, said the negative drug test result does not entirely get Nicanor Faeldon Jr. off the hook.

“Mere use of a drug and his presence in a drug den are two different issues or offenses,” said Christian Frivaldo, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency acting Bicol regional director.

Living in

He said Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, specified that people found visiting drug dens may be imprisoned from 12 to 20 years, plus a fine, if proven aware of the nature of the place they visited.

The younger Faeldon, in a statement to police, admitted that he lived in the house in Barangay Mabolo where he was arrested at the dawn of Dec. 14.

He said he lived there with his girlfriend, Sandra Mae Lanuzo, a daughter of suspected drug dealer Russel Lanuzo, who owns the house.

However, the younger Faeldon also told police he did not have any knowledge of the illegal drug transactions that purportedly happened in the Lanuzo residence.

Lanuzo was reportedly a former Metropolitan Naga City Water District employee who was terminated due to drug use.

Positive

He was first caught in an antidrug operation in 2016, also in Barangay Mabolo. This is the third time that he was arrested for drugs.

During his arrest on Friday, police found seven sachets containing crystal meth in Lanuzo’s home and the other suspects also yielded various amounts of “shabu” or a gun.

But when Faeldon was tested by the Naga City police on Saturday morning, it showed Faeldon was negative for drugs.

On Saturday, Faeldon refused to give any interviews to media.

Police said no one from Faeldon’s camp, including his father and family lawyers, had made contact with them regarding the case.