PDEA nabs 6 drug suspects in Pampanga’s crucifixion site

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested six suspected drug peddlers in Barangay San Pedro Cutud here ahead of the yearly Good Friday crucifixion rite.

“We will try to make Cutud drug-free to make Good Friday there [on April 19] solemn, PDEA Regional Director Gil Pabilona told the Inquirer in a phone interview on Thursday.

The village hosts a small hill where penitents nail themselves to the cross, a tradition that has existed for over 70 years.

More than 10,000 mandarame (flagellants) gather in the village, mostly drinking liquor before wounding their backs.

Thieves and drug sellers take advantage of the huge crowd, police said.

Last Wednesday’s sting operations resulted to the arrest of Axl Jhon Quiambao, 25; Kenneth Guiao, 28; Gabriel Louegie Patig, 20; Jebbren Peralta, 19; Aljen Quiambao, 19; and Albert A. Quiambao, 47.

PDEA operatives reported seizing from the suspects 10 grams of shabu (crystal meth) valued at P24,000.

Pabilona said Axl Jhon Quiambao is in the PDEA target list and has been in the region’s radar since February 2019.

According to Pabilona, Quiambao runs a “video karera” shop in Cutud to hide his illegal drug trade.

The six men have been held at the PDEA regional jail and charged with violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. /lzb