5 men yield P9-M shabu in Bukidnon bust

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities arrested five suspected pushers during a buy-bust operation in Bukidnon, seizing more than P9 million worth of illegal drugs, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) announced Tuesday.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. identified the suspects as Marlon Arenal, 39 and Wilbert Pacion, 34, both residents of Central Poblacion, Kalilangan, Bukidnon; Eugene Pasabilla, 35, from West Poblacion, Kalilangan, Bukidnon; and Junaid Mondas, 22, and Baguinda Carim, 29, both natives of Lanao del Sur.

PDEA operatives arrested the suspects during a buy-bust operation in Purok 2, Central Poblacion in Kalilangan town at around 2 p.m. last September 14. The suspects were caught in the act of selling a sachet of suspected shabu to a poseur buyer, the PDEA added.

When frisked, the suspects also yielded a plastic bag containing a kilogram of suspected shabu. The total amount of seized illegal drugs has an estimated street value of P9,045,000.

The suspects will be charged for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) in relation to Section 26b (Conspiracy to Sell) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

They are now under the custody of the PDEA RO11.