TWO drug suspects who yielded over P3.5 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) were arrested in a drug bust in Sampaloc, Manila early Monday dawn, April 8.

National Capital Region Police Office Director Major General Guillermo Eleazar said Porferio Pementera, 39, and Orlando Naguinlin, 56, were arrested during a drug bust inside an apartment unit in Barangay 484, Zone 48, Sampaloc, Manila.

He said a barangay watchman, identified as Joseph Dela Cruz, was also arrested after allegedly trying to block the operatives.

Recovered from the suspects were 516 grams of shabu with a street value of P3,508,000, one firearm ,and other drug paraphernalia.

Initial investigation revealed that the suspects were members of Pementera Criminal Gang, a drug trafficking group operating in Manila and Quezon City.

Eleazar said the group is connected to local narco-politicians, including former barangay councilor Ronnie Labongray, who died during a police operation on March 28, 2019.

The group also has connections with high-value target “ninja cops,” particularly Jolly Aliangan, who is currently detained at the city jail.

Cases for violation of Section 5 and 11 of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and RA 10591 (Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition), in relation to Omnibus Election Code, are being prepared for filling in court against Pementera and Naguinlin.

Obstruction of justice will also be filed against Dela Cruz.

Eleazar said they will also look into the possible liability of the barangay chairperson who owns the apartment raided by authorities.

“Meron tayong appropriate na kaso na ifafile sa kanya at eventually, matanggal sya sa kanyang katungkulan (We will file an appropriate case against the barangay chairperson, and eventually, he will be dismissed from service),” he said. (SunStar Philippines)