Woman gets life, fined P1 million for selling 'ecstasy'

The Manila Regional Trial Court sentenced yesterday to life imprisonment and fined her P1 million for selling 30 “ecstasy” tablets with a street value of P60,000 in Malate, Manila seven years ago.

Judge Carmelita Manahan found Minnie Tumulak guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.

The penalty should have been life imprisonment to death, but Tumulak was sentenced to life imprisonment since President Arroyo suspended the imposition of the death penalty.

The judge junked the claim by Tumulak’s lawyer that she had been framed by the National Bureau of Investigation agents who conducted the buy-bust. – Sandy Araneta

LTO worker pokes gun at Pasig traffic enforcer

For poking a gun at a local traffic enforcer who arrested him yesterday for driving against the flow of traffic in Pasig City, an agent of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is now in hot water.

Responding policemen arrested Roman Fadriquela, 50, and confiscated his service firearm, a .45 caliber automatic pistol.

Pasig City police chief Superintendent Ramiro Bausa said they are readying grave threat charges against Fadriquela.

Complainant Win Lascuna, a traffic enforcer of Pasig City, said he was manning the corner of A. Sixto and Raymundo Avenues when Fadriquela’s white Toyota Revo (XRJ-777) drove against the flow of traffic at about 8 a.m.

Lascuna flagged down Fadriquela. However, when Lascuna approached the LTO agents’ vehicle, Fadriquela poked a gun at him.

The traffic enforcer ran to safety and called for help. Responding Pasig policemen arrested Fadriquela and confiscated his weapon.

The Pasig City police received several phone calls requesting Fadriquela’s release. – Non Alquitran

BI prevents 18 Pinoys from leaving for Lebanon

Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said yesterday immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) caught 18 Filipinos who were bound for Lebanon, which is covered by the government’s deployment ban.

He said the 18 Filipinos, who came from far-flung provinces, presented valid work documents for the United Arab Emirates, but BI personnel discovered that they possess tickets for Lebanon, where they were set to work as domestic workers.

In January alone, the BI apprehended a total of 62 Filipinos bound for banned countries. The deployment ban includes Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, and Lebanon and has been effect since December 2007, Libanan said.

Meanwhile, BI personnel at NAIA foiled an alleged attempt by Pakistani national Ghulam Tayyab, 30, to depart for Seoul, South Korea using a fake Malaysian passport and residence card Thursday.

Tayyab will be sent back to Pakistan and barred from reentering the country, Libanan said.

Court sheriff shoots self after heart attack

A Manila trial court sheriff, reportedly despondent after suffering a heart attack, allegedly shot himself in the head in Sampaloc, Manila yesterday morning.

Senior Police Officer 2 Ricardo Mendoza said John Morales, 52, excused himself after having breakfast with his wife, Zita, and went straight to their bedroom. Minutes later, Zita heard a gunshot and found her husband’s body on the floor, blood oozing from his head.

Neighbors rushed Morales to the Ospital ng Sampaloc but he died hours later while undergoing treatment. The bullet entered his left temple and went through to the other side.

Scene of the Crime Office (SOCO) personnel found the victim’s .45 caliber pistol with three bullets and a spent shell near his body. No suicide note was found, Mendoza said.

Mendoza said Morales suffered a mild heart attack three days ago. The attack reportedly prevented Mendoza from leaving the house and he failed to report for work.

Morales’ daughter, Rachell, said her father felt depressed and had difficulty sleeping since the attack, but said their family had no inkling her father would end his life.

Homicide Section head Chief Inspector Alberto Peco said the police are ruling out foul play in Morales’ death. – Nestor Etolle