Engineering student nabbed selling drugs

CEBU, Philippines - A second year Marine Engineering student was arrested for selling shabu to an undercover policeman during a buy-bust operation Saturday dawn in Villagonzalo II, Barangay Tejero, Cebu City.

The suspect was identified as  Christian Tiu, 18, resident of the same barangay.

Members of the Waterfront Police Station led by Senior Inspector Jerry Bawiga transacted with the suspect using a decoy. The suspect sold a pack of shabu to undercover operative resulting in his arrest.

The police confiscated 50 grams of shabu worth P100,000 from Tiu. The suspect denied selling illegal drugs.

He said he did not know that a paper bag handed to him by a certain Ivy Aguilar last Friday has contained shabu. Tiu, however, admitted that Aguilar is a known drug personality in their neighborhood.

Tiu said he only sought the help of Aguilar to pay for his remaining balance in school so he could enroll for the second semester.

 "Niduol ko niya kay magpatabang ko og bayad sa P4,000 nako nga balance sa eskwelahan kay nag promissory note ra ko. Niana siya nga gunitan lang daw to nako kay naa ra'y mokuha. Wala man ko kahibaw unsay sulod ato," Tiu said.

Tiu said he was surprised that a policeman came and arrested him. He claimed that it was only when the police opened the paper bag that he knew it contained shabu.

Suspect is the youngest among five siblings, two of them work as call center agents and are reportedly supporting his schooling.

"Ganahan ko motiwas og eskwela, dili na ko mousab inig human nako og eskwela musakay na ko og barko. Wala koy bisyo. Wala koy drugs," Tiu said.

The suspect is currently detained at the Waterfront Police Station while waiting for the filing of the criminal complaint at the prosecutor's office. (FREEMAN)