Ma forces 2-yr-old son to sniff shabu, tells him it’s ‘lollipop’

CEBU, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas is trying to locate a 39-year-old mother who allegedly converted their home into a drug den and even forced her two-year-old son to snort illegal drugs to stop him from crying.

When NBI-7 operatives swooped down on the drug den in Sitio Siphai, Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City last June 24, the mother was able to elude arrest. However, her two-year-old toddler was rescued.

In another raid of a drug den in Sitio Imhai, Barangay Mambaling that same day, NBI-7 also arrested alleged drug den maintainers, couple Ruchie Torres and Arturo Abellana.

Authorities received reports that Torres allegedly used her 16-year-old child in distributing illegal drugs.

‘Alarming’

NBI-7 agent Aga Gierran expressed alarm over how drug suspects are using and involving children in their illegal activities.

Before cracking down on the drug dens, authorities first subjected them to surveillance for weeks and from there they learned of the presence of minors in these places.

“Like itong na-rescue natin na paslit na bata (in Punta Princesa). We have this information na pinapagamit itong two-year-old boy (ng illegal drugs),” said Gierran, adding that it was the mother’s way of pacifying her child when he cried.

“Pag mohilak daw na, pagamiton ang bata as per account sa mga silingan. Parang hindi natutulog, parang sabog,” said Gierran.

Witnesses who spoke with NBI-7 agents said that the mother would often let her two-year-old child sniff shabu – calling it a “lollipop” – because she did not want to be disturbed in manning her drug den.

Because of this, NBI-7 is also building up the case to file child abuse charges against the mother, in addition to a case for maintaining drug den.

Gierran said they also received information that the mother, who was previously arrested for the illegal drug charges, has a vast network.

“Very extensive din yung network niya kasi aside from maintaining the drug den, siya gyud ang nag-distribute in that area,” he said.

As for the Mambaling operation, the 16-year-old boy was not present at the drug den during the raid. But Torres vehemently denied allegations they were using him as a drug peddler.

Rescue prioritized

Because of the involvement of minors, NBI-7 Director Atty. Rennan Augustus Oliva ordered that the rescue of the children be prioritized in the twin operations.

The rescued minors are now under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Oliva also said that, although this is not the first incident, the children’s involvement or presence in drug dens remains disturbing.

“You know how violent illegal drugs are, and they are letting the children handle the drugs,” said Oliva. “It’s very abhorring...kanang tooter, kanang ginagamit paghimo og shabu, ginahimong candy-lollipop.”

Meanwhile, during the operation in Punta Princesa, NBI-7 elements also arrested alleged drug den visitors Krisanto Saavedra, of Barangay Suba, and Alfredo Omeres, of Barangay Mambaling.

In Mambaling, they also arrested alleged drug den visitors Melchor Imus and Regino Gabuya, both of Barangay Punta Princesa, and Jakyl Rosaceña, of Barangay Mambaling. — JMD (FREEMAN)