Parañaque City drug bust: Cops nab 6, seize over P1-M ‘shabu’

MANILA, Philippines — Six people were arrested while over P1 million worth of suspected shabu (crystal meth) were confiscated during a buy-bust operation in Parañaque City, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) reported Wednesday.

QCPD chief Brig. Gen. Ronnie Montejo identified the suspects as LA Belga, 26; Thaya Ambalgan, 40; Asmah Angking, 20; John Paulo Belarmino, 30; Jayson De Guzman, 34; and Leivior Medrano, 39.

Combined operatives of QCPD, Southern Police District (SPD), and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted the sting behind a mall along West Service Road near EDSA, in Parañaque City, at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, according to a police report.

An undercover police officer was able to buy P35,000 worth of the illegal drug from the suspects, who were collared upon the completion of the transaction.

Police said the suspects yielded 150 grams of shabu valued at P1,020,000 and three cellphones. Police also said they seized the vehicle, which the suspects supposedly use in their illegal drug dealings.

The six persons were brought to the Novaliches Police Station in Quezon City and booked to face charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

According to police, they subsequently found that Belga also has a pending case for violating Firearms and Ammunition Law. They also said that Belarmino is a repeat offender of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (Jim Mendoza, Trainee)