SORSOGON CITY (Oct 25, 2012) – Operatives of the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) filed charges of violation of RA 9165, or the amended “Anti-Illegal Drugs Law” against a 61 year-old media practitioner in the island province of Masbate who was nabbed in an entrapment operation in Pilar, Sorsogon.
A PDEA spokesman in this city reported on Thursday (Oct. 25) that the suspect identified as Felicito Lazaro, a media practitioner in Masbate, was nabbed in a “buy-bust” operation in Pilar town and was caught in possession of 5 grams of shabu contained in a plastic pouch with a street value of P 30,000 pesos.
When arrested by PDEA operatives, Lazaro allegedly offered the alibi “that he was just asked to hand-carry an envelope and did not know it contained shabu”.
A PDEA spokeman also said Lazaro’s arrest was carried out with the help of a confidential informant who was familiar with the street distribution network of shabu in Masbate province and implicated Lazaro as part of the supply chain originating from Metro Manila.
Although considered an isolated incident, the National Union of Journalist (NUJP) Camarines Sur chapter has expressed concern over the arrest of Lazaro who is reportedly a broadcaster in a radio station in Masbate province.
NUJP Camarines Sur cautions fellow journalists to refrain from abusing their privileges as media practitioners and involving themselves in illegal transactions like illicit drugs using their media connections.
The media Union group also expressed alarm over earlier unconfirmed reports of use of illegal drugs among local media personalities. (SONNY SALES).