A big-time shabu supplier in Makati City was arrested in an anti-drug operation in Batangas early Monday.
In a statement, the Philippine National Police Regional Office 4-A said the suspect, Marcial A. Orbigoso, a.k.a Tan Tan was arrested in Purok 6, Barangay Pangao, Lipa City during the implementation of a search warrant by police authorities.
Orbigoso is identified as one of the so-called “Big Three” suppliers of shabu in Guadalupe Viejo in Makati City.
Confiscated from the suspect were two big plastic sachets and 12 medium size plastic sachets of suspected shabu weighing about 300 grams with an estimated market value of P2 million, one weighing scale, two rolls of aluminum foil and one bundle of empty plastic sachet.
Arresting officers also seized from the suspect an Armscor brand .45 caliber pistol with one magazine loaded with seven pieces of ammunition.
Orbigoso was previously detained at the Makati City Jail from 2003 to 2009 for frustrated homicide.
He was detained again from 2013 to 2015 at the Southern Police District detention cell for drug charges.
The suspect claimed that after his release in 2015, he was utilized as an asset by rogue police officers in illegal activities.
Meanwhile, newly-elected barangay and youth officials must activate Barangay Peace and Order and Public Safety units and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils under pain of facing criminal and administrative charges, a lawmaker warned on Monday.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said the village officials have only 60 days to do so from the time they assumed office.
“I enjoin all our newly-elected Barangay officials to immediately formulate their anti-drug abuse action plan in their respective localities within 60 days after assumption of office,” Barbers said.
“Otherwise, our House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, would initiate moves to compel the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Dangerous Drugs Board to file criminal and administrative actions on non-compliant barangay officials,” he added.
Barbers said Section 3 of Executive Order 366 series of 1996; DILG memorandum circular No. 2015-130 dated November 3, 2015; and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 4 dated September 19, 2016 require the officials to prepare the action plan within the specified time frame.
Barbers said DDB Regulation 4 provides that all city and municipal mayors are enjoined to ensure that every barangay in their respective jurisdiction shall formulate the BPOPS Plan and BADAC Plan of Action as its component.
Barbers said Section 32 of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, provides “penalty of imprisonment ranging from six (6) months to one (1) day to four (4) years and a fine ranging from P10,000 to P50,000 shall be imposed upon any person found violating any regulation duly-issued by the Dangerous Drugs Board pursuant to the aforementioned law, in addition to the administrative sanction imposed by the said board.”
Similarly, Barbers said a directive, dubbed as DILG MC 247-142, issued by former DILG officer-in-charge and now DDB chairman Catalino Cuy dated October 24, 2017 provides that barangay officials are required to furnish the Barangay Development Council and city/municipal councils a copy of approved BPOPS and BADAC action plans for reference and consideration in the formulation of city and municipal peace and order and public safety plan.
The approved BPOPS and BADAC action plans may be subjected to review, update and/or adjustment depending on the status of barangay drug affectation, as well as its peace and order situation, the DILG directive said.
Subject to the availability of Barangay funds, the Sangguniang Barangay may enact a supplemental budget in case the approved budget for the formulation of the BPOPS and BADAC action plans are insufficient, Barbers said. With PNA