Jail guard peddling drugs nabbed in GenSan

MANILA, Philippines - Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have arrested a provincial jail guard for selling shabu to a poseur-buyer in General Santos City.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. identified the suspect as Rex Morsal, 35, a prison guard assigned at the Sarangani Provincial Jail. He is a resident of Upper Masagana, Barangay Lun Padidu, Malapatan, Sarangani Province.

PDEA agents pounced on Morsal while in the act of selling a sachet of shabu to a poseur-buyer in a hospital along Quezon Avenue, Barangay Dadiangas North, General Santos City, around 9:48 a.m. last March 18.

"What is ironic is that Morsal put into jeopardy the discipline instituted in correctional facilities. His job is to keep prisoners under tight watch while in custody, not engage in illegal drug activities. Now he finds out what life is like spending time in jail," Cacdac said.

Morsal will be charged with violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II, of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

If found guilty by the court, Moral is facing life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million.