Two college instructors were arrested in an illegal drugs raid Wednesday conducted by the Task Force 24 in Barangay Piapi, Dumaguete City .

Apprehended for allegedly maintaining a drugs den was former faculty member Clemente Balasabas, of 137-A Hibbard Avenue , Brgy. Piapi, and Agapael Orteza, speech instructor rehired this semester on a contractual basis, both at Silliman University .

The suspects, who were reportedly caught in the act of sniffing shabu, refused to be interviewed but said they will refer the case to their lawyers.

National Bureau of Investigation-Dumaguete agent Miguel Dungog said, the raid at the house of Balasabas was conducted at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, by virtue of a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Fe Lualhati Bustamante dated January 18, 2008.

The charge was Balasbas' alleged maintenance of a drugs den in violation of Section 6, Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency joined the raid.

Dungog said the operation was made following reports that the house was being used as a drugs haven of “big-time” personalities and known individuals.

Probers said Balasabas tried to escape, but an agent was able to grab him in the shoulder. In the process, the suspect's forehead reportedly hit the edge of the door, resulting in a cut on his head.

Confiscated from the suspects were a disposable lighter with needle, tinfoil with shabu residue, improvised totter, improvised tinfoil, a pair of scissors, and a pen case where the drug paraphernalia were concealed.

Balasabas will be charged with maintaining a drugs den, a non-bailable offense, and possession of illegal drugs and drugs paraphernalia. Orteza, on the other hand, will face charges for visiting a drugs den, possession of dangerous drugs for possession of equipment, instrument, apparatus and other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs.

Piapi Brgy. Captain Jose Quitay and Ramonito Astillero from the Department of Justice witnessed the raid.

Meanwhile, information director Mark Garcia of Silliman University said in a statement that, the school does not condone any act that is contrary to law and public morals.

The development upsets the Silliman community, it said.

“It is one that challenges us at Silliman to continue to ensure that we provide our students with a learning environment that is conducive to quality Christian education,” the statement from Silliman added.*JG/RG

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