POLICE rescued two Grade 11 students who were caught smoking marijuana in Sitio Amor, Barangay Sambag 1, Cebu City, around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
The students, identified by their aliases as Clare, 18, from Sitio Paseo, Banawa, Barangay Guadalupe, and Kai, 16, from Sitio Hilca, Barangay Busay, were caught in the act by operatives of Abellana Police Station 2 following a tip-off received through the 911 hotline about an ongoing pot session in the area.
Seized from them were two marijuana cigarettes and a lighter.
Police Captain Charlie Ancheta, head of the Station Drug Enforcement Unit, led the responding team that found the two students smoking the rolled marijuana leaves. Clare, being of legal age, was arrested and brought to the police station for investigation, while Kai, a minor, was turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for debriefing.
Clare claimed they were unaware that they were smoking marijuana, explaining that they had gone to the area to smoke regular cigarettes before heading home but encountered a group of men who were already loitering there.
He added that the men offered them cigarettes, which they accepted, not knowing that these contained marijuana.
“Niadto mi didto sir kay manigarilyo ba nya sa among sigarilyoanan sir naa nay nag tambay didto una, nakisabay rami nila nya nalingaw mig estorya-estorya sir ba mao to gitunolan mi adto nila, dawat lang sad mi sir,” Clare said.
Clare admitted he had used marijuana before but claimed he did not expect that what was handed to them by the other group was illegal drugs.
He apologized to the police and vowed not to repeat the offense, promising to focus on her studies.
Charges for violation of Section 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are now being prepared against Clare.
Authorities said that as a minor, Kai will be placed under the care of the DSWD while further interventions are being considered. (AYB)