MANILA, Philippines - Eight members of the same family were arrested in Caloocan City Thursday night after one of their members unintentionally led police officers to their marijuana tiangge or flea market.
Joseph Arabia, 27, was seen by police officers on routine patrol sitting in front of his house, holding a shotgun, in Vanguard, Camarin at around 11:30 p.m., according to a police report.
Arabia ran towards his house, when the policemen tried to accost him. In the house, the police officers chasing Arabia saw his sister Rochelle, 25; his mother Rosalie, 49; his father Rodito, 63; and relatives Marivic Labatoy, 35; Ernesto Vicio, 30; Cindy Periano and Bernie Grande, 30, repacking dried marijuana leaves.
They were all taken to the Northern Police District Special Operations Unit.
7 more nabbed in drug den
Only four hours earlier, seven persons were arrested in a drug den on Palon street, also in Caloocan City, when a still unidentified man went amuck.
According to reports, the man was seen holding a gun and creating trouble along Palon street at around 6 p.m. Thursday.
Residents called the police, who tried to arrest the man. However, the man ran into the house of a certain Jeff Osorio.
The police officers caught Ador Ian Osorio, 37; his wife Junesa, 30; and their visitors George Evangelista, 38; Hubert Bautista, 38; Benjamin Davao, 27; Angel Acuna Jr. and Raymundo Hernandez, 27, reportedly engaging in a pot session.
The lawmen confiscated a 9mm caliber from the suspects.
The man who led the police to the house escaped, investigators said.