2 notorious drug pushers fall in Lucena stings; 10 nabbed for violating COVID-19 protocols

LUCENA CITY –– Police arrested two alleged notorious drug pushers and ten violators of safety protocols for preventing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in separate operations here on Friday.

Lieutenant Colonel Romulo Albacea, Lucena police chief, said anti-illegal drug operatives arrested Benjamin Bondad, 50, after he sold P500 worth of shabu (crystal meth) to a police agent in a drug deal in Barangay Market View around 9:25 a.m.

Bondad, included in the police list of drug pushers in the city and an ex-drug convict, yielded nine plastic sachets of meth worth P20,800 in the street market.

Earlier at 7:10 a.m., the police also busted Grenn Gendrano, 36, in another buy-bust operation in Barangay Mayao Crossing. He yielded five plastic sachets of shabu worth P17,900.

The suspects are facing charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, the police mobile patrol team chanced upon the 10 people while playing skateboards without wearing face masks, face shields, and not observing physical distancing in Barangay 3 around 6 p.m.

When the policemen approached the skateboarders and ordered them to put on the safety masks and shields, two of the suspects, twins John Misak and John Jonas, both 18, and surnamed Atienza, reportedly resisted arrest and yelled at the cops.

The report said John Misak also hit Police Executive Master Sergeant Allan Ocampo on the back with his skateboard, while the other suspects shouted and mocked the police officers.

All suspects were arrested and brought to the police station for the filing of charges.

Since Dec. 7, local authorities have been conducting regular patrols in the city’s 33 villages to arrest violators of the city ordinance requiring the wearing of face masks and distancing of at least one meter.

LZB