Teacher, girl, 8 others caught sniffing shabu

CEBU, Philippines - Ten people including a public school teacher and a 15-year-old girl were arrested after they were caught sniffing illegal drugs in Barangay Looc, Danao City Saturday night.

Danao Police were responding to an armed person alarm when they chanced upon 56-year-old Wilfredo Goc-ong, a teacher of a public school in Compostela town, and nine other persons, including a teenager, sniffing shabu in an open hut.

Other arrested suspects were identified as Jeneboy Capuyan, 25; Rodney Parato, 23; Jaunito Capuyan, 37; Christopher Peñas, 34; Arnel Pasana, 21; Carlo Ceniza, 21; Alex Manco, 47; and Jonathan Lingatong, 36.

Police Officer 3 Nelson Pantoja of Danao City Police Station said they earlier received a text message through their hotline number informing them of an armed person spotted in Barangay Looc at around 11 p.m. on Saturday.

Policemen responded to the area, but instead of finding the armed person, they found people gathered inside a shanty and appeared to be sniffing drugs. The suspects were arrested.

They were brought to the police station and surprised the police when Goc-ong revealed during the interrogation that he is a teacher.

A pack of shabu, a disposable lighter, a tin foil strip, a hand rolled tissue paper and two improvised tooter were seized from him.

“Nakurat na lang mi pag ingon niya nga maestro diay siya sa Compostela,” said Pantoja.

The 15 year-old-girl, who was bringing two shabu packs when arrested, was also taken into police custody. Aside from the drug paraphernalia, a pack of shabu was recovered from each of the other suspects.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is currently assessing the minor’s case and if she is found to have acted with discernment, she will be charged for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 together with the rest of the suspects. (FREEMAN)