Why there’s need to vote wisely in barangay polls

MANILA, Philippines—A former barangay chair seeking another term, an incumbent councilman and a college student were arrested for alleged drug use in Caloocan City.

Police said the three were caught while in a “shabu” session at a poultry farm in Pangarap Village, Barangay 181, around 1 a.m. Thursday.

They were identified as former Barangay 181 chair Rafael Oxales, 40; councilman Rodolfo Cabrera, 38; and Justin Callo, 19.

Oxales served as barangay chair from 2008 to 2010, and lost in his reelection bid three years ago.

He is also an instructor reporting under the National Service Training Program of the University of Caloocan City, where Callo is also a student, according to the police.

He is reportedly planning to run again in next month’s barangay elections.

The poultry farm in Pangarap had been known as a drug den in the area. A police team went to the village late Wednesday night to crack down on illegal video karera operators, but instead found the three suspects together taking shabu.

The trio yielded shabu paraphernalia and several plastic sachets of the illegal drug when arrested.