A Taguig City court judge sentenced to life imprisonment three big-time drug pushers who were arrested with two kilos of cocaine worth P10 million in their possession during a buy-bust operation in 2011.
Mayor Laarni Cayetano lauded the decision penned by Judge Antonio Olivete of Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 267 against the accused—Jose Vastine, Edilberto Ty and Alberto Joaquin Ong.
“This is a crucial victory in a crusade we’ve begun in 2010. The adverse effects of illegal drugs ripple from the individual to the community at large so we’ve maintained the offensive versus this industry. Each drug personality we pin down is definitely a win for the city,” said Cayetano in a statement.
Aside from jail term in New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, Olivete also fined the three accused a total P1.5 million and ordered Ong and Vastine to undergo rehabilitation for a minimum period of six months in a government-controlled facility.
Authorities arrested Vastine, Ty, and Ong in a buy-bust operation that turned up with two kilograms of high-grade cocaine worth P10 million in 2011.
Cayetano said the buy-bust against the three pushers was just one of the many police anti-drug operations in close coordination with the city government that resulted in the arrest of big fish in the illegal drug trade.
“We’ve always been confident that the people would win this litigation. This is a fitting conclusion. It is proof that the city is committed to the safety and well-being of Taguigeños,” she said.
Tinga Drug Syndicate members Joel Tinga and Elisa “Ely” Tinga were also sentenced to reclusion perpetua for selling illegal drugs in September 2016 and February 2017, respectively.
Elisa was the third most wanted person in the list of illegal drug personalities. She was the seventh member of the Tinga Drug Syndicate who was arrested and jailed.
The Top 10 drug personalities in 2015 —Michael Butch Tan, Sancho Espiritu, Alfonso Dacquel, Richard Silvestre, Isidro Llagas, Mardie Talampas, Jackie Abone, Adonis Venus, Bags Malay and Rawie Castro—are now behind bars.
Several initiatives were also introduced by the city government and the police to curb the drug menace.
In 2016, the Taguig Anti-Drug Abuse Council launched the drug-free community program for drug dependents.
The two-month program aims to rehabilitate drug users and reintegrate them as productive members of society.
Taguig also implements a “one-strike policy” against business establishments allowing patrons and customers to use illegal drugs.
The city government immediately revokes business permits even though establishments are first-time offenders.
“All these measures and convictions should be a clear warning to users and pushers. We will not stop playing our part in making the nation drug-free,” said Cayetano.