CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – An American national was arrested by operatives of the police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for allegedly smoking marijuana during the annual Malasimbo music festival Saturday evening in Barangay Balatero, Puerto Galera.
Senior Superintendent Christopher C. Birung, provincial director of Police Provincial Office of Oriental Mindoro identified the suspect as Charles Requina Maurice, 33, single and a resident of No. 6B, San Rafael St., Kapitolyo, Pasig.
Sr. Supt. Birung said the American was caught reportedly smoking a stick of marijuana at about 10:00 p.m. during the Malasimbo festival held yearly in a hilly area of the said barangay.
The suspect was accosted by joint elements of Puerto Galera municipal police station, Tourist Police Unit, Regional Public Safety Batallion 4-B, PDEA 4-B Set Bravo and PDEA K9 Unit which were patrolling and securing the area which was full of local and foreign tourists.
He will be charged with violation of sections 11, 13 and 15, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Law of 2002. (Jerry J. Alcayde)