DRUG CHARGES FILED AGAINST ASISTIO SON

A non-bailable charge of drug trafficking and two other criminal cases were
filed in court by the Department of Justice (DoJ) yesterday against Luis
''Piting'' Asistio III, son of Caloocan City Rep. Luis ''Baby'' Asistio.

The two other criminal charges against the young Asistio were for illegal
possession of firearm and direct assault upon a person in authority.

Asistio's drug trafficking case carries with it a maximum penalty of death.

The filing of the charges with the Caloocan City regional trial court (RTC)
was approved byA ssistant Chief State Prosecutor Leonardo Guiyab Jr on
recommendation made by State Prosecutor II Richard Anthony D. Daullon.

The young Asistio was arrested in a drug buy-bust operation conducted last
April 5 by the elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Team
and the Northern Police District.

His companions, Ricardo S. Garcia and Ronel P. Rivera were also charged
with drugs trafficking. Rivera has another case for possession of one stick
of marijuana.

The charges against Asistio's live-in partner, Rosario Ortega, were
dismissed for insufficiency of evidence.

Seized froMA sistio and his two companions were 206.15 grams of "shabu"
during the buy-bust operation at the Quintang Alley, Dagat-dagatan,
caloocan City.

Also seized from Asistio was a .45 caliber pistol which was found to be
registered in the name of another person.

The direct assault case was filed against Asistio when, in the course of
the buy-bust operation, he drew his .45 caliber pistol. Asistio, however,
was shot on the left side of his chest. His live-in partner, Ortega, was
hit by a stray bullet on the left side of her body. They were bought to
separate hospitals.

State Prosecutor Fadullon said that only Garcia and Rivera were presented
during the inquest proceedings.