Drug suspect in NorthCot not ex-priest: congregation

KIDAPAWAN CITY -The Makati-based Mission Society of the Philippines (MSP) has denied that the man arrested for selling illegal drugs in North Cotabato on Thursday was a priest and a former MSP member.

Fr. Jonathan Germinanda, MSP superior, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Saturday that John Baring Ferolin of Barangay Katingawan, Midsayap, North Cotabato was neither a priest nor a member of the MSP clergy.

Ferolin was arrested during a drug buy-bust operation inside a restaurant in Matalam, North Cotabato on Thursday morning.

He was arrested after selling a sachet of suspected shabu to a police agent who posed as a buyer. Seized from him was another sachet of the illegal substance,

marked money and shabu paraphernalia.

Maj. Bryan Placer, Matalam town police chief, said Ferolin earlier told arresting police officers that he used to be an MSP priest.

Ferolin, based on records from the North Cotabato police provincial office, was arrested in 2016 for drug pushing and druguse during law enforcement operations in Midsayap, North Cotabato.

It was unclear how he managed to get out of the North Cotabato provincial jail where he was detained in 2016 after his arrest.

Fr. Germinanda said the congregation was sad that MSP has been linked to Ferolin’s illegal drug activities.

He, however, acknowledged that in 2003, Ferolin joined the MSP as a seminarian but it was short-lived as he left the seminary.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) are being prepared against Ferolin, who is currently detained at the Matalam police lockup. (PNA)