Furniture worker caught in drug bust

MANILA, Philippines - A furniture worker was arrested in an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City Friday.

Northern Police District (NPD) District Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group commander Chief Inspector Jay Agcaoili said they seized seven sachets of shabu, each worth P500, and an unregistered Colt .45 pistol loaded with seven bullets from Francisco Juliano, 35, a resident of Barangay 178 in Camarin.

The anti-drug team, led by PO2 Ariosto Rana, filed drug and gun charges against Juliano before city assistant prosecutor Darwin Canete last Saturday. Canete recommended P280,000 bail for Juliano.

“Juliano is no ordinary worker. He is a notorious pusher in their area,” Rana told The STAR.

He said a week ago, NPD director Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr. told Agcaoili and his men to monitor a group of street pushers in Bagong Silang and Camarin in Caloocan City North. The group, lead by a certain Eidres, reportedly armed all their members with handguns to drive away competitors.  

“Our original plan was to arrest Juliano in a drug bust but as the deal was in progress someone shouted ‘police, police,’” Rana said.

Juliano reportedly tried to flee. Rana said several residents tried to help him, but backed off when they saw armed policemen in pursuit.

Interviewed in his cell, Juliano denied involvement in illegal drugs. Nemia Flores, 44, who claimed to be a close relative, barred The STAR from asking the suspect more questions.

“He is just a worker in our furniture business. He is not good in answering questions, so we will just deal the case in court,” Flores said.  – Pete Laude