A 19-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment or a maximum of 40 years in jail after he was found guilty of possessing over 200 grams of shabu (hydrochloride methamphetamine) in Quiapo, Manila four years ago. In his nine-page decision, Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 41 Judge Rodolfo Ponferrada found accused Hassan Mama Mauna, a native of Marawi City and a resident of 645 Carlos Palanca St., Quiapo, guilty beyond reasonable doubt of shabu possession. Ponferrada said Mauna was meted the life sentence for violation of Section 16, Article III of the Revised Penal Code and also ordered to pay a fine of P500,000. [continues 215 words]
A ranking official of the Bureau of Immigration who was earlier accused of "harboring" am alleged Chinese drug trafficker yesterday denounced the report, blaming the controversy on the "rift" between him and Immigration officials belonging to the BI's Intelligence department. Immigration Associate Commissioner Teodoro Delarmante yesterday assailed the three intelligence officials including their chief for issuing reports that he harbored and ordered the release of a Chinese who was nabbed after being suspected of engaging in illegal drug activities. Delarmente, in a press statement, said he ordered the release of Li Yong Cheng because of the "highly suspicious and irregular" operation the intelligence agents conducted last Saturday against the Chinese. [continues 400 words]
A high-ranking official of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) could possibly face administrative and criminal charges for allegedly "harboring" a suspected undocumented Chinese drug trafficker during an operation two weeks ago. In a "after-mission report" submitted to BI Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr. by BI Intelligence Division operatives Ansari Macaayan, Maclin Lanto and Andrian Mangondato, they claimed it was BI Associate Commissioner Teodoro Delarmante who "harbored" and ordered the release of a Chinese who was the subject of a legitimate operation on the strength of a mission order. [continues 377 words]
