Couple gets jail terms for shabu

A man who used to be a cockpit barker, or "masyador" in local parlance, and his common-law wife were each sentenced to four years and two months imprisonment for keeping 17 grams of shabu inside their house in barangay Bulacao, Talisay six years ago. Regional Trial Court judge Soliver Peras ruled that both Dioniño "Josie" Daan and wife, Fely, of legal age, were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating section 16, Article III of the old anti-dangerous drugs law.

Armed with a search warrant issued by then RTC judge and now Court of Appeals justice Isaias Dicdican, the policemen headed by SPO4 Ernesto Navales of Talisay City police station raided the couple's house and seized shabu contained in plastic packs. Although the couple was not present during the raid, two barangay tanods and some neighbors were present while a search of their house was in progress, the reason why Peras rejected the alibi of the accused that the policemen planted the drug. - Rene U. Borromeo