A barangay official in Negros Occidental and his two companions were arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City on Thursday afternoon.
The suspects were identified as Jan Michael Astorga, 32, a kagawad of Barangay Zone 12-A in neighboring Talisay City, Cris Angelo Abelarde, 31, and Dino Dimson, 25, all considered as high-value targets (HVTs).
Operatives of the PDEA-6 Special Enforcement Team cornered the three at around 3 p.m. along Buri Road and seized from them about 150 grams of suspected shabu, valued at P1.02 million.
The agent who led the operation said yesterday that charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, were filed against the suspects before the City Prosecutor’s Office.
Astorga, son of former Talisay City councilor Zenia Astorga, had been under surveillance by drug enforcement officers for about two weeks before his arrest.
The three suspects are now in the custody of the PDEA-6 Special Enforcement Team.*PNA
