Man faces drug raps

CEBU, Philippines - Drug charges have been filed against the man who was caught throwing a pouch filled with drug paraphernalia into the Cebu City Jail.

The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office indicted Joelito Abasa, 28, of Sitio Aroma, Subangdaku, Mandaue City for violation of Section 12 Article 2 of Republic Act 9165 known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Prosecutor Alex Gabud elevated the case to the court after the accused chose not to undergo preliminary investigation to answer the allegations filed against him.

Gabud recommended P40,000 for the temporary liberty of Abasa who is now detained at the Cebu City Jail in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.

Jail Officer 1 Efindy Drilon, in his sworn statement, stated that while he was detailed at Tower 2 of the city jail’s male dormitory at about 5:15p.m. last January 1, he noticed a man later known as Abasa, standing outside the perimeter fence particularly on the street going to Guadalupe Church.

Abasa allegedly threw the pouch over the perimeter fence and thinking it was a bomb, he immediately called his superior officer through handheld radio and informed them about the “bombing.”

The jail officers on duty responded to the incident and he shouted at them to go after the man running towards Guadalupe Church. Drilon said JO1 Jayson Malero, designated investigator of the Intelligence and Investigation Unit, took pictures of the pouch and brought it to their office.

They later discovered that it was not a bomb placed inside the pouch but drug paraphernalia including 119 strips of aluminum and one disposable lighter intended for smoking or consuming dangerous drugs into the body.

In the joint-affidavit, jail officers Leo Cezar Ryan Altamarino, Armando Manalon, Rosser Joseph Yuson, Mike Libe and Jun Rey Emhada stated that they were on duty at the male dormitory of the city jail when they heard the “bombing” alarm.

They said they went out through the main entrance and saw a man running towards the direction of the Guadalupe Church and they chased him.

“While pursuing, JO1 Yuson shouted to the suspect to halt but the latter did not heed the call, prompting JO1 Yuson to fire warning shots thrice. However, the suspect still continued running until after we cornered and caught him at the bridge near Guadalupe Church,” the affidavit reads.

They said they arrested the accused for having drug paraphernalia in his possession with intent to deliver when he threw the items in the tower 2 area. — (FREEMAN)