ZAMBOANGA CITY — Government authorities have arrested five people, including two high-value target drug personalities, and seized PHP200,000 worth of suspected shabu (methampetamine hydrochloride) in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, an official announced Friday.
Laurefel Gaballes, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 9 regional director, identified the suspects as Bonifacio Abao, 37; his wife, Wilma, 36; Marlon Abao, 39; Al-Shaida Balpaki, 25; and John Ryan Morcilla.
Gaballes said the Abao couple were listed as Top 4 Municipal Priority Target and Top 7 Provincial Priority Target drug personalities, respectively.
He said they were arrested by a joint PDEA and police team in a buy-bust operation at Km. 8, Barangay La Dicha, Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay at about 5 a.m. Friday.
Seized from the suspects were 50 grams of suspected shabu packed in five heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets, valued at PHP200,000, a motorcycle, illegal drug paraphernalia, and PHP2,500 in marked money.
Gaballes said cases for violations of Section 26 (Attempt or Conspiracy) in relation to Section 5 (Selling of Illegal Drugs), Section 11 (Possession of Illegal Drugs), Section 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia), Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed in court against the suspects.
He said the suspects were temporarily detained at the police headquarters in Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay. (PNA)
