Teacher, 16 others held for drugs

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A public school teacher and 16 other persons, mostly women, were arrested in a series of anti-drugs operations in this city and Zamboanga Sibugay on Friday.

Esmeralda Alpez, 34, a Grade 4 teacher in this city, and habal-habal driver Nicholai Lim were arrested at a checkpoint in Barangay San Roque, Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, Zamboanga peninsula police spokesperson, said.

Police said three sachets of shabu, a weighing scale and drug paraphernalia were recovered from the suspects.

Thirteen suspected drug pushers were nabbed in this city and two in Diplahan town.

In Pampanga, Nigerian man Chinedu Umeanwe, alias Brook, who was tagged in automated teller machine skimming, was arrested in a drug sting in Barangay Balibago, Angeles. – Ric Sapnu