DAGUPAN City police operatives recently arrested two barangay officials here right after coming from the Muslim area in Tondaligan Park from where they reportedly bought methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

The suspects were identified as Alfonso ‘Bong’ Legaspi, treasurer of Barangay Bonuan Gueset; and Carlos Saysonm, councilman of Barangay IV, from whom one sachet of alleged shabu was seized.

The police said the two were aboard Sayson’s car when arrested.

Supt. Edgar Basbas, chief of police here, revealed the two suspects had long been under surveillance, having had previous cases before for violation of the anti-drugs law.

Basbas dismissed Sayson’s statement that he lost some P20,000 when the members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) of the police searched his car after coming from the Muslim area.

“This is not true. This is the usual claim of a suspect whenever he or she is arrested in possession of illegal drugs,” Basbas said.

He told newsmen the search was legal and his men found the shabu in plain view.

Ricardo Mejia, the village chief of Bonuan Gueset, said that Legaspi confirmed that he (Legaspi) was a user of illegal drugs before but that was a few years ago and ha already stopped the vice.

The arrest of Sayson and Legaspi fueled calls for all barangay officials in the city to undergo drug testing to find out if they are users of illegal drugs too. (PNA)