EX-MAYOR NABBED FOR DRUGS

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) announced yesterday the
arrest of a former town mayor of Mangatarem, Pangasinan after PDEA
operatives recovered from him shabu during a drug bust in Dagupan City.

Undersecretary Anselmo Avenido, director general of PDEA, identified
the arrested suspect as Jassie Punzal, former mayor of Mangatarem,
Pangasinan who was listed in the PDEA as among the drug traffickers
in Pangasinan.

He was arrested by elements of the PDEA Regional Office 1 in Sitio
Sabangan, barangay Bunuan, Dagupan City.

Recovered from him were two plastic sachets containing two grams of
shabu and a cellular phone. Meanwhile, seven other persons were
arrested by PDEA agents while in drug session inside a hotel in Quezon
City.

Senior Supt. Orlando Mabutas, PDEA Metro Manila Regional Office
director, identified the arrested suspects as Beau Baracoso; Richmond
Yu; Ryan Hernadez, 26, a businessman and resident of 359 barangay
Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City; Benjamin Cristobal III, 25, bar
manager, and resident of No. 40 Dinar St. CB Townhomes, Diliman,
Quezon City; Carmela Jambaro, 21, of No. 135 San Rafael St., Old
Balara, Quezon City; Jessica Mae Molina, resident of Dalangayan Este,
San Fernando, La Union; and Vivian Poyawan, of 64 Kalinisan St.,
Novaliches, Quezon City.

They were arrested while having a drug session inside Room 426 at the
Sir Williams Hotel on Timog Avenue.

Recovered from them were at least 50 grams of shabu, five grams of
marijuana and several tablets believed to be ecstasy and Diazepam.

Avenido said raid was conducted based on a search warrant issued by
Judge Nativitad Giron-Dizon of the National Capital Judicial Region.