Pubdate: Tue, 28 Dec 2004
Source: People's Tonight (Philippines)
Copyright: Journal Group 2004
Contact: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp
Website: http://www.journal.com.ph
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3454
Author: Cory Martinez
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

2 SISTERS-IN-LAW GET LIFE FOR SELLING SHABU

A QUEZON City judge has sentenced two sisters-in-law to life imprisonment 
for selling 0.02 grams of shabu in a buy-bust operation conducted by the 
operatives of the Central Police District last year.

In a four-page decision, QC Regional Trial Court Judge Jaime Salazar Jr., 
found Linda Alviz and Elizabeth dela Vega, vendors, both of 17 Isarog St., 
Bgy. Sta. Teresita, QC, guilty beyond reasonable doubt of drug pushing, 
which is penalized under Section 5 Article II of Republic Act 9165.

PO2 Edsel Ibasco and SPO4 Reburiano, of the CPD La Loma Police Station 1, 
said the drug bust was conducted on the afternoon of Feb. 4, 2003 along 
Isarog St., Sta. Teresita, QC.

Ibasco, who acted as poseur-buyer, said that he first talked to Alviz and 
said that he would be buying shabu worth P100.

After Ibasco gave the marked money to Alviz, the latter ordered Dela Vega 
to get out of the house.

After a short conversation, Dela Vega went inside the house. After a while, 
she came out holding a plastic sachet of shabu and handed it over to Alviz.

When Ibasco had the sachet, he scratched his head as a pre-arranged signal 
to Reburiano who acted as back-up.

Ibasco arrested Alviz while Reburiano collared down on Dela Vega and 
recovered from her the marked money.

Both accused denied the allegations against them saying that they were just 
on their way to a house of a "manghihilot" when police arrested them.

Salazar explained that both accused made inconsistent statements, which 
were signicant and material in nature.

"The defense of both accused cannot prevail over the positive and clear 
identification made over them by the prosecution. The defense failed to 
disprove the testimony of Ibasco that Alviz pushed shabu to the former in 
the amount of P100 as payment and it was Dela Vega who handed it over to 
Alviz," Salazar added.

The court ordered both accused to pay a fine of P500,000 each.
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