CAPIZ – Authorities intercepted 15 kilograms of marijuana bricks worth approximately P1.8 million at a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) booking outlet in Barangay Poblacion Ilawod, Panitan town on Monday, January 20.
Rustico Deseo Diestro, a 67-year-old booking outlet owner and resident of the said barangay, informed the Panitan Municipal Police Station (MPS) after noticing an unattended eco bag containing suspicious items around 9:30 a.m.
Police officers led by Major Amie F. Bulaqueña, chief of Panitan MPS, promptly secured the area.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) K9 unit was requested to confirm the contents of the bag, which later revealed 15 bricks of marijuana.
According to a RoRo bus conductor alias “Ben,” two male passengers mysteriously disappeared during a routine inspection at Batangas port. Ben explained that the men failed to return to the bus after the Coast Guard personnel and K9 units began checking passengers.
He recounted that he did not see the passengers loading the said eco bag onto the bus. Instead, other personnel were responsible for stowing luggage. Believing the bag belonged to a woman passenger who had been in contact with him, he left it at the Panitan ticketing outlet, thinking it would later be claimed.
For his part, Capiz Provincial Police Office director Colonel Albert D. Tapulao said that initial findings suggest the marijuana shipment was not intended for Capiz.
Authorities suspected the contraband was en route to Iloilo or another location after originating from Alabang Terminal.
Tapulao also confirmed that the bus conductor had unloaded three pieces of luggage in Panitan that day. However, only two were properly tagged with ownership details. The eco bag containing the marijuana was unmarked.
As of this writing, Panitan police were coordinating with the Alabang police in Muntinlupa City to trace the origins of the shipment and identify the individuals responsible./PN
