Village chief nabbed in Bulacan drug bust

STA. MARIA, Bulacan - A village chief considered to be a high-value target was arrested by agents of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region III (PDEA-3) in a drug sting in Barangay Guyong, Sta. Maria, Bulacan on December 15, 2016.

In a report submitted to PDEA Director General Isidro S. Lapeña, Director Juvenal Blanquera Azurin identified the suspect as Henry D. San Miguel, male, 45, Barangay Chairman of Barangay of Mag-asawang Sapa, Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

Azurin said that San Miguel had been in the PDEA’s target-list for two months through an information from a confidential informant.

“Barangay Chairman San Miguel is considered a high-value target because he is an elected government official. The fact that he is currently holding a government position will further aggravate his liability under section 28 (liability of public officials and employees) of RA 9165”, Azurin added.

The anti-drug operation transpired at 2:20 pm in Barangay Guyong wherein a PDEA agent who acted as poseur buyer succeeded to secure a drug deal from the suspect for the purchase of one “bulto” (five grams) of shabu for P13,000.

“The suspect even attempted to elude arrest using his get-away car but the operating team abruptly responded and cornered him”, Azurin disclosed.

Confiscated from the village chairman were one piece heat sealed plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu weighing five grams with an

estimated street value of P23,000 and the buy-bust money used in the anti-drug operation.

The suspect was brought in PDEA Jail Facility in Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga for further investigation.

A charge for violation of section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs), article II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Act is being readied for filing in court.-Glenn Guillermo/ PDEA-3 PIO