Barangay volunteer frontliner nabbed after selling shabu in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — A barangay volunteer from Quiapo, Manila was arrested after using his identification card as a COVID-19 front liner to pass through checkpoints in Sampaloc, Manila to sell shabu (crystal meth) on Tuesday night, police said Wednesday.

A report from the Sampaloc police station identified the suspect as Hajib Cayandatu, 24, who is a barangay volunteer of Barangay 648 in Quiapo.

Members of the Sampaloc police station’s Drug Enforcement Unit conducted a buy-bust operation against Cayandatu along Vicente Cruz Street near Honradez Street in Barangay 445, Zone 44 in Sampaloc at 7:45 p.m.

Cayandatu was immediately apprehended by the anti-drug operatives after he allegedly sold shabu to an undercover police officer who posed as the buyer in the bust.

The bust was hatched after police received information that a certain alias “Buddy,” who is not a resident of Sampaloc, was selling illegal drugs in the area.

Seized in the bust were 45 grams of shabu worth P272,000, a black pouch and the P500 marked cash used in the bust.

Cayandatu is now detained at the Sampaloc police station as complaints for violation of selling dangerous drugs and possession of dangerous drugs under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared for filing against him.

/MUF