Surgeon, Albay Penro nabbed in drug bust

A surgeon and a Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (Penro) from Bicol Region, considered as highvalue targets, were arrested by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 11 (PDEA 11) during a buy-bust operation on Tuesday, October 17 at Buhangin, Davao City.

PDEA 11 officer-incharge Regional Director Agent Naravy Duquiatan said during yesterday’s AFP-PNP press forum that PDEA 11 operatives launched a drug operation at No. 3 Marigold St. San Pedro Village, Buhangin, Davao City at around 5:30 p.m. which resulted in the arrest of Dr. Stephen So Tay and Benjamin Jaraplasan Medel.

She said their office has been monitoring the activities of So Tay, a surgeon in Metro Davao Medical and Research Center (MDMRC), who is a drug user and into drug selling. Based on their intelligence report, he is also connected to high-profile drug personalities operating in Davao region.

Likewise, according to Lawyer Joseph TesiornaLegal Counsel of PDEA 11, during the investigation, it was revealed that the two suspects were fraternity brothers and Medel, who hails from Legazpi City, was just invited by Tay for a pot session. Medel was supposed to attend a convention in SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premiere, Davao City.

The two were found

positive during a drug test for using shabu.

“Based in prior information, the place of Tay has been habitually use as a drug den and [a place] for illegal drug transactions,” he said.

Authorities confiscated about nine grams of suspected shabu worth P45,000; 32 capsules and 27 tablets of suspected Ecstasy worth P88,500; around 10 grams of suspected cocaine worth P80,000; several drug paraphernalia and one unit of fragmentation grenade.

The two suspects are now under the custody of PDEA 11 as cases for violation of Section 5, 11, 12 Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and RA 9516 Illegal possession of Explosives are now being prepared for filing in court. JCR