Board member found guilty of drug charges

MANILA, Philippines - A local court in Misamis Oriental convicted yesterday a provincial board member and his co-accused on illegal drug charges.

Geodeguil Ursal and his friend, Glenn Antegua, were sentenced to 12 to 20 years imprisonment by Judge Arthur Abundiente.

The verdict was handed down following a marathon hearing on the illegal drugs case filed against the accused by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) last January.

The court acquitted Ernesto Fernandez. It also ordered Ursal and Antegua to pay P500,000 in damages.

No bail was recommended for Ursal and Antegua, who plan to appeal the decision.

The three were arrested in a drug bust in Barangay Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City on Jan. 8.