BONTOC, Mountain Province (PIA)– The anti-drugs campaign here scored big last October 13 with the confiscation of P20.7 million worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of eight individuals.
A total of 173 marijuana bricks in tubular form with estimated total street value of Php20,760,000 .00 were seized in two separate operations at the Ampawilen checkpoint and Oowayen, both in Poblacion, Sadanga, Mountain Province by joint operatives of the Mountain Province Police Provincial Office, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Mtn. Province/MIMAROPA, RID PROCOR, and Regional Mobile Force Battalion-15.
Three male suspects on board a gray Nissan Almera were arrested in Ampawilen checkpoint for transporting 148 bricks and six tubular forms of dried marijuana leaves with a street value of Php 18,480,000. They were identified as Jorge Tomaldong Eyawon, 34 years old; Dario Di-wean Diway, 23, and Jake Caesar Bulosan Linchangan, 19, all residents of Cudal, Tabuk City, Kalinga.
In Oowayen, police operatives arrested five individuals from Mountain Province including a mayoralty candidate and a minor, transporting 19 bricks of marijuana dried leaves with a street value of Php2,280,000.00.
The suspects were identified as Sonny Kidit Kalaw, 36, an ex-cop from Brgy Data, Sabangan, who recently filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor in his hometown; Jonathan Fomanos Abella, 37, a government employee from Brgy. Gawana, Barlig; Jeric Arzadon Sansano, 30, a native of Bonfal East, Bayombong, Nueva Viscaya but presently residing at Brgy. Fuyayeng, Bontoc, Mtn. Province; Samson Amiling Damaso,38, a native of Tadian, but presently residing at Brgy. Samoki, Bontoc, and a minor.
The law officers also recovered 16 empty bullet shells and nine unfired bullets for a 9mm gun inside the black Hiace Grandia used by the those nabbed in Oowayen.
The suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the Sadanga Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition while the minor was turned over to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.
The suspects were charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002and RA 10591 for the ammunition. **JDP/VJLT-PIA CAR,Mt. Province