MARIJUANA PLANTATION TIPSTER TO GET REWARDS

The informant who tipped the police about the marijuana plantation in
Salvador Benedicto is expected to receive rewards not only from Salvador
Benedicto town but also from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Supt. Mark Edison Belarma, officer-in-charge of the Negros Occidental
police, yesterday said Mayor Cynthia de la Cruz will give a reward to the
informant, in recognition of his efforts and courage to report the
existence of the marijuana plantation at Spur 15 in Brgy. Bunga, Salvador
Benedicto.

More than 100 fully grown marijuana plants, as high as five feet tall, were
uprooted on Friday by Salvador Benedicto policemen led by SPO4 Felipe
Famucol. Famucol, officer-in-charge of Salvador Benedicto PNP Station, said
the informant is expected to receive rewards from an agency of the
government spearheading the anti-drug campaign.

A kilo of dried marijuana leaves has a market value of P70,000, Belarma said.

Five percent of the assessed marked value of the seized marijuana will be
awarded to the informant, according to the guidelines of the PDEA reward
system.

Police investigations said the marijuana plants discovered in Salvador
Benedicto had been merged with "pako-pako (ferns)" to avoid detection.

The alleged caretaker of the marijuana plantation identified as Jerry
Francisco, however, was able to escape.

Before its discovery, Famucol said they had received reports that the
suspect had already harvested some of the marijuana plants.

William Francisco, father of Jerry, and his brother-in-law, Marshall
Senador, as well as Rogelio Laureto, were invited for investigation by the
police to shed light on the plantation.

Famucol said the three persons claimed innocence although it is only 150
meters away from the residence of Jerry.

Charges for violation of RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Drug Act of 2002,
are now being readied by the police against Francisco.

There could be more marijuana planted in Salvador Benedicto, Famucol said.

Because of scarcity of shabu supply, drug pushers in Western Visayas have
shifted to selling marijuana, instead, the PDEA said.*GPB