GUILTY. Four of the five persons sentenced to life imprisonment for transporting PHP600 million worth of illegal drugs in Gandara, Samar during a presentation to reporters on Oct. 18, 2019, a day after their arrest. Each one was ordered to pay a PHP5 million fine. (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)
TACLOBAN CITY -- Five people, including a pregnant woman, have been convicted for transporting PHP600 million worth of illegal drugs to Samar province two months ago.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Thursday that the Regional Trial Court in Gandara, Samar has sentenced all of the accused to life imprisonment for their involvement in the shipment of 87.83 kg. of shabu.
Each was fined PHP5 million, except for a 14-year-old boy who was arrested with the accused but was not charged. He is under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for intervention.
In its December 14 decision, Judge Esteban dela Peña convicted Cesar Uy, 49, of Gen. Trias, Cavite; Elbert Abella, 57, of Toledo City; and Leonard delos Reyes, 33, Steven Perez, 37, and Jeralou Lobarte, 34, all of Cebu City.
All of them, except Lobarte, will be turned over to the Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte. Lobarte, who is seven months pregnant, will be detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.
Police Regional Office 8 (Eastern Visayas) Director Brig. Gen. Ferdinand Divina on Friday commended his men for filing tight cases against drug carriers.
“This is another big accomplishment of (the) police regional office, a manifestation that our policemen are doing their best in carrying out their duties. Let us be one in making Eastern Visayas safe and peaceful,” Divina said in a statement.
Policemen of Gandara town, the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, and Regional Drug Enforcement Unit nabbed the accused on October 17 in a checkpoint on board two private cars while passing Samar Island en route to Cebu City.
They hid the shabu inside 43 duffle bags. The drugs were picked from a source in Quezon City and Imus, Cavite.
The PNP said they will never allow anyone to make the region’s nautical highway as transshipment for illegal drugs.
Policemen were told to be alert, especially in areas within the highway that links Luzon to Mindanao. (PNA)
