Court metes man life term for drugs

CEBU, Philippines – Regional Trial Court Branch 13 judge Meinrado Paredes has sentenced a man from barangay Capitol Site to life imprisonment after selling drugs to a policeman in a buy-bust operation last August 25, 2005.

Paredes ordered Manolit dela Piedra to pay a fine of P500,000 aside from suffering life imprisonment after being found guilty of violating Section 5 of Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Dela Piedra was arrested last August 25, 2005 after he sold shabu to PO2 Julius Regis, who acted as the poseur-buyer.

Regis who testified against Dela Piedra said that after an informer told them that Dela Piedra was selling shabu, they decided to conduct a buy-bust operation at Maria Cristina St., Capitol Site, Cebu City.

Regis was with his teammates only named SPO1 Rosales and PO1 Aniñon during the buy bust operation and arranged a meeting with Dela Piedra through an informer.

Upon reaching the place, Regis asked Dela Piedra if he had the “stuff” or shabu to which Dela Piedra heeded and handed the packet of shabu from his pocket.

Dela Piedra was caught when Regis made a call to his teammates that led to the arrest of the accused.

The accused pleaded not guilty of the crime and denied that he was arrested in a buy-bust operation. He said that he was arrested inside his home in Capitol Site.

But Paredes said that the defense of alibi was so weak and was surpassed by the statement of the prosecution who positively identified him as the pusher.

The accused also testified in court that he was not framed, manhandled and there was no demand for money or anything for his release.

Paredes said that there was presumption of regularity in the performance of public function in favor of the police officers and that positive evidence prevails over negative evidence.

“The court believes that the law is harsh but it is not for this court to question the wisdom of the law. There is nothing we can do except to impose the appropriate penalty in accordance with the law,” Paredes said. — Jasmin R. Uy/BRP (THE FREEMAN)