Makati authorities nab drug suspects in Southside

MANILA, Philippines - Following the order of Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay to make the presence of the city's authority felt in the contested Fort Bonifacio City, 12 suspected drug peddlers and users were arrested on Tuesday afternoon in a police operation in Barangay Southside.

Barangay Southside is among the barangays located inside the Fort Bonifacio area, the control and administration of which was recently given to Makati City from Taguig City.

According to Sr. Supt. Jaime Santos, chief of the Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC), at about 2:30 pm. MADAC agents supported by anti-narcotics personnel of the Makati Police swooped down on two houses on Abbot St. and Hornet St. and arrested the 12 suspected drug peddlers and users.

Santos identified those arrested as Mark Rhodirick Baisac, 21, of Barangay Southside; Jemmy Flores, 29, of Barangay Rizal, Makati; Harly Dipon, 36, of Barangay Rizal, Makati; Richard Macapas, 28, of Barangay Rizal; Alex Rico, 38, of Barangay Southside; Rommel Valdez, 20, of Barangay Southside; Anthony Lumagbas, 33, of Barangay Southside; Ryan Sumatra, 18, of Barangay Southside; Dario Hallera, 31, of Barangay Rizal; Dennis Martinez, 36, of Barangay Southside; Meljie Dayondon, 29, of Barangay Southside; and John Paul Doong, 23, of Barangay Southside.

Also seized from the suspects during the bust were a sachet of marijuana, three plastic sachets of shabu (methampetamine hydrochloride), a pair of dice and three live hand grenades.

Santos said the suspects not only used the drugs but also used them as bets in their gambling game.

Santos added that the grenades were either used as payments for drugs bought or could have been even used as bets in the gambling game.

"Barangay Southside is home to many soldiers. It is possible that some soldiers could have bought drugs from the suspects and paid for them with the grenades," Santos told the Star.

Santos also said the suspects are also using their illegal gambling activity as a cover or front for the sale of illegal drugs in the barangay.

"The operations stemmed from the series of complaints received that a game of chance or a dice game is being used as a front of the bettors not only in selling illegal drugs in the area but as a substitute to the bet money," said Santos.

Santos said the arrested suspects now face charges of illegal gambling, ilegal drug trafficking and possession and illegal possession of explosives.