2 ex-Masbate mayors nabbed for shabu lab

MANILA, Philippines - Two former municipal mayors in the province of Masbate were arrested yesterday by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Anti-illegal Drug Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) for allegedly operating a shabu laboratory.

Lester Abapo, incumbent chief of Barangay Magallanes, was arrested in nearby Barangay Tugbo while his cousin, Cherry Boy Abapo Jr., was collared in Barangay Nursery, both in Masbate City, said Chief Inspector Roque Merdegia, AIDSOTF spokesman.

Lester was a former mayor of Milagros town and Cherry Boy of San Fernando. 

Merdegia said the arrests were based on warrants issued by Quezon City Judge Fernando Sagun Jr.

He said the suspects, who have been under surveillance, were reportedly behind the operation of a suspected shabu laboratory at a resort-like property in Barangay Nursery.

Merdegia said the raiding team allegedly recovered shabu, chemicals and firearms from Lester’s house.

The raid on Cherry Boy’s house reportedly yielded boxes of chemicals and equipment believed used in the manufacture of illegal drugs.

The cousins face charges of violating Republic Act 9165.