BORACAY – Police arrested a drug suspect at the screening area of the Ati-Atihan Festival in Barangay Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan.
A sachet of suspected dried marijuana leaves and drug paraphernalia were seized from 30-year-old Simone Francisco of Barangay Lawaan, Roxas City, Capiz when police officers frisked him while he was trying to enter the festival zone around 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 19, Kalibo deputy chief of police Major Joel Bulfa said.
Police Corporal Donald Alvarado seized the drug paraphernalia and a sling bag containing the residue of suspected marijuana from the suspect.
Francisco was detained in the lockup cell of the Kalibo municipal police station, facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
“Aktibo ang ating kapulisan sa buong araw upang bantayan ang Ati-Atihan Festival lalong-lalo na sa screening areas. Mahigpit ang ating kapulisan kahit sa gabi upang masiguro ang kaayusan at kaligtasan ng lahat,” Bulfa said.
Alvarado, meanwhile, said they were on alert on the possible entry of the prohibited items as the capital town celebrated Ati-Atihan.
“Maraming tao ang pumapasok sa screening area. While frisking, itong suspek ay nakainom at may dalang bag. Hindi niya initially inamin na may dala siyang ‘marijuana.’ Lumuhod pa siya sa amin at nagmamakaawa,” added Alvarado, who is presently assigned in the Libacao municipal police station in Aklan.(With a report from Akean Forum/PN)
