Barzaga grandson faces drug, sex raps

MANILA, Philippines - Charges have been filed against a grandson of Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga who was earlier arrested in a drug raid in Dasmariñas City.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed charges of illegal drug possession and violence against women and children against Harrel Barzaga Gatuz before the provincial prosecutor’s office on Sunday.

Gatuz allegedly enticed a minor to use illegal drugs before having sex with her.

Investigators said the 17-year-old girl, who was arrested along with Gatuz and three other men in the Barzaga compound in Pasong Lawin last Friday, was also using drugs.

Eric Isidoro, chief of the NBI-Reaction, Arrest and Interdiction Division, said the girl goes to Gatuz’s house to use drugs. 

Gatuz and the suspects were reportedly holding a drug session when NBI agents arrived to serve a search warrant.

The raid stemmed from complaints filed by Gatuz’s neighbors, who claimed he and his friends create trouble, especially at night.