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DSWD-10 to delist 4Ps recipient nabbed in CDO drug bust

By Jigger Jerusalem

September 4, 2019, 7:41 pm

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Region 10 (DSWD-10) has warned Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries involved in illicit activities will be expelled from government's conditional cash transfer scheme.

The warning came following the arrest of two women in separate drug operations in their respective homes here on Wednesday (Sept. 4), in which one of the suspects was identified as a 4Ps beneficiary.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 10 (PDEA-10 identified the suspects as Jalilah Macapanton, 35, and Divina Sumagayan, 53.

One of the identification cards seized from Macapanton was her 4Ps identification card. She is surnamed Tangco in her tax identification card.

PDEA-10 Director Wilkins Villanueva said it appears that Macapanton has many aliases as she was surnamed Itomama in the court-ordered search warrant.

Villanueva said Macapanton yielded close to 25 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of PHP170,000 during the raid at her residence in Barangay Balulang.

Oliver Inodeo, DSWD-10 4Ps program spokesperson, said they are saddened by the report that one of their recipients has been apparently arrested for illegal drugs.

Inodeo advised the program’s beneficiaries not to engage in illicit activities and be active in the department’s family development sessions.

“It is unfortunate that this has happened. At the same this will serve as a warning to 4Ps members that there will be consequences if they are involved in these illegal activities,” Inodeo said.

“It has always been part of our campaign to remind our beneficiaries to stay away from these acts as we are even encouraging active citizenship to our members,” he added.

Because of her arrest, Inodeo said the cash grant will be transferred to Macapanton’s eldest child.

Meanwhile, Villanueva said Sumagayan yielded eight plastic sachets of suspected shabu, estimated to be worth PHP30,000.

In an interview, Villanueva said both the suspects ask their customers come to their residents to buy the illegal drugs.

The PDEA official said both suspects may have sourced their illegal drug supply from Marawi and nearby towns. (PNA)

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