Two soldiers among three nabbed in drugs operation

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 17): Two soldiers among three nabbed in drugs operation

Two soldiers of the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, based in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, and a civilian were arrested in an anti-illegal drugs operation in Sitio Malapay, Barangay Bagawines in Vallehermoso, at around 5:50 p.m. Thursday.

Insp. Ryan Jay Orapa, chief of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group of the Negros Oriental PNP, identified the suspects as Private First Class Marhlo Libo-on, Private First Class Rey Eco, and Teofilo Bayeta Osorio.

He said Osorio was nabbed when he sold suspected shabu, worth about P5,000, to an undercover agent. Orapa said the two soldiers were arrested for alleged violation of Section 15, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Dangerous Drugs Act, for drug use, after they allegedly bought “shabu” from Osorio before his arrest.

Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, said he had received a report about the arrest of the two soldiers who are assigned at the 11th IB.

He said he has directed Lt. Col. Paulito Idol, 11th IB commanding officer, to investigate the case of Libo-on and Eco, who are both assigned to the Bravo Company and were part of a Bayanihan Team, engaged in community activities in Barangay Binobohan, Guihulngan City.

An initial report to Patrimonio said the two soldiers were at a vulcanizing shop in the vicinity where Osorio was arrested.

He added that Libo-on and Eco were released yesterday afternoon after the drug tests conducted on them yielded negative results.

They have returned to the Bravo Company base in Barangay Buenavista, Guihulngan, Patrimonio added.

The drugs operation was jointly conducted by the PAIDSOTG, and the Vallehermoso police, led by its chief, Insp. Eric Errol Besario, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency provincial office.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/May/17/negor2.htm