Manila official, businessman nabbed for P.1-M shabu

MANILA, Philippines - A barangay chairman from Malate, Manila and a businessman were arrested yesterday morning for possession of shabu worth around P100,000.

Barangay B-711 chairman Eduardo Torcelino, 56, underwent inquest proceedings yesterday for drug possession, said Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Mario dela Vega.

Torcelino and his companion, Herminigildo Patdu, 59, a businessman from Muntinlupa, were arrested at past 7 a.m. yesterday by police officers from QCPD Station 11.

The two suspects “were in an altercation” in front of a fastfood restaurant at the Welcome Rotunda “and this caught the attention of my policemen,” station commander Superintendent Norberto Babagay said.

He said the two men were caught in possession of 30 grams of shabu, whose estimated street value is about P100,000. The inquest fiscal did not recommend bail for the two suspects.

The police official said the barangay chairman was allegedly seen handing over a package to Patdu while another package remained with him. Babagay said the contents of the two sealed packs turned out to be shabu.