Trisikad driver gets
40-year prison term

A trisikad driver from San Carlos City was sentenced yesterday to 40 years imprisonment for illegal possession of marijuana, Cadiz City Prosecutor Frances Guanzon said.

Cadiz Regional Trial Court Judge Renato Muñez found Samuel Librando Flores guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Republic Act 6425 or the Dangerous Drugs Act 1972, as amended by Republic Act 7659 and sentenced him to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua.

His black belt bag containing dried marijuana leaves and fruiting tops weighing 897.83 grams was confiscated in favor of the government for proper disposal.

Flores was nabbed by the police in a house at Sto. Niño Street, Cadiz City, on July 6, 1999.

Flores told the court he came to know a certain Eddie Tecson of Cebu City while he was driving a "trisikad" in San Carlos City, and the latter asked to be accompanied to Cadiz City. He said the black bag containing marijuana that was confiscated by the police belonged to Tecson. However, the court did not give credence to Flores' claim considering that the marijuana was positively found in his possession, the judge said.

The court also found that the testimony of Flores was inconsistent and contrary to common experience.*CPG

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PFour test
positive for drugs

Four of the five jeepney drivers arrested by the Bacolod City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group in the act of having a pot session in Purok Sigay, Brgy. 2, Bacolod City, Tuesday tested positive for drug use.

They were Jeremias Benigay Deanon, 37, married, of Villa Servando, Brgy. Calong-Calong Airport, and Jomarie Borres Loyola, 29, single, of Purok Paglaum, Brgy. Taculing, both in Bacolod City; Vicente Peduche Francisco, 43, married, of Brgy. Dulao, Bago City; and Romelo Gaylon Legaspina, 37, married, of Burgos Street, Murcia town, Negros Occidental, police reports said.

Joebert Cosio Jaro, 29, single, of Brgy. Dulao, in Bago, however, tested negative.

Of the four found, only Legaspina tested positive for the use of both shabu and marijuana, and the three, only for shabu, police reports added.

Police city director Senior Supt. Pedro Merced yesterday said his office will file charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, against those found to be using drugs.

Even those visiting a suspected drug den, though not using drugs, are liable, he said.

Merced said the police are also eyeing charges for maintaining a drug den against Carmen Isio, 73, the owner of the house where the suspects were spotted and arrested.

Recovered from the suspects were an improvised tooter with traces of suspected shabu, 12 disposable lighters, five empty sachets, a pair of scissors, several rolled aluminum foils and an improvised bamboo clip, police reports said.

Isio had admitted that the group paid her P3 to P10 each for every pot session.*GCT

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City helps in permit renewal

The Bacolod Mayor's Office and the Traffic Management Unit personnel are conducting regular inspections of tricycles, pedicabs, public utility jeepneys and taxis in the barangays to facilitate renewal of their permits without disrupting their day-to-day routes, a City Hall press release said.

Executive Assistant Valentin Jamelo said this is one effort of Mayor Evelio Leonardia to reach out to the people of Bacolod by bringing government service to the barangays.

"This is intended to help our transport sector and the hundreds of drivers whose livelihood depends on their everyday biyahe (trip). This will enable them to comply with the requirements for the renewal of their permits without missing a day's work," Leonardia said. The team checks individual units for city sticker, body color, case number, registration and insurance and other pertinent papers. The documents are then submitted to the Licensing Division in groups.

The barangay inspection, which started March 10, with the Mansilingan Lasalleville Operations Drivers Association or MALATODA, is in coordination with the office of Councilor Dindo Ramos and the Traffic Management Unit.

Inspections are done for associations that request for it, the press release added.*

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