3 men, woman meted jail terms for visiting shabu den

A court in Pasig City meted 16 years jail terms yesterday against four persons, including a woman, for visiting the raided shabu “tiangge” in the city.

Judge Librado Correa, Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 164, ordered the convicts Edgar Dorias, Fredelito Arcangel, Michelle Sullivan and Cesar Tulod to pay a fine of P100,000 each.

Correa also ordered the confinement of Dorias and Arcangel  to a drug rehabilitation center.

Sullivan and Tulod were tried in absentia after they jumped bail at the height of the trial.

In his 14-page decision, Correa said the prosecution was able to establish that the shabu tiangge was a drug den.

“Considering that awareness and knowledge by the accused that the place was a drug den, and that (they) visited this place are internal acts,” said Correa.

The court also gave credence to the testimonies of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) members who raided the den located in Mapayapa Compound, Barangay Sto. Tomas, in Pasig City on Feb. 10, 2006.

“No where in their (AIDSOTF) testimonies that would indicate that they were prevaricating or planting evidence against the accused… to falsely testify against them,” said Correa.

On the other hand, Correa dismissed the alibis of Dorias and Arcangel who merely denied their connection to the raided den.

The court, however, pointed that the urine samples of both accused tested positive for residue of shabu.

The court also hit the failure of Sullivan and Tulod to appear before the court and present evidence to exculpate themselves from the charges.  “They opted to remain at large than to face their accusers. This act of the accused is an indication of guilt on their part,” said Correa.