PLEB head, another nabbed in Misamis Oriental bust

MANILA, Philippines - Anti-narcotics agents nabbed the head of a local People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) and his companion during a buy bust operation in  Misamis Oriental, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported on Monday.

The PDEA identified the suspects as Gamaliel Salcedo, 48, a law graduate and the PLEB chairman of Jasaan, Misamis Oriental; and Jonathan Tapongot, 45, a resident of Barangay Kimaya, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.

Reports reaching the PDEA office in Quezon City showed that last May 21, around 4:30 p.m., elements of PDEA Regional Office 10  conducted a sting operation in Tapongot’s residence in Barangay Kimaya.

After selling a sachet containing methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, to a poseur-buyer, in exchange for the P1,000 marked money, operatives swooped down on Tanpongot.

Authorities also seized from Tapongot’s possession six more sachets of suspected shabu and various drug paraphernalia.

Salcedo, who was present inside the house during the operation, was also apprehended.

Both Salcedo and Tapongot were found positive for the use of shabu after undergoing mandatory confirmatory tests.

"Salcedo is the incumbent PLEB chairman of Jasaan, Misamis Oriental who leads the conduct of hearings and adjudications of citizen’s complaints against erring policemen in his area of jurisdiction, but at the same time a substance abuser," PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac, Jr. said.

Tapongot will be facing charges for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, while cases for violation of Section 15 (Use of Dangerous Drugs) are being filed in court against Salcedo and Tapongot.

The two men are temporarily detained at PDEA RO10 detention facility.