Surigao City, Philippines – November 12, 2024
In an early morning raid on November 12, anti-illegal drug operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office XIII successfully apprehended three individuals allegedly involved in drug activities at a hotel in Surigao City. The suspects were arrested after an undercover PDEA agent conducted a buy-bust operation, leading to the confiscation of illegal drugs and other drug-related materials. The joint operation was coordinated with the Surigao del Norte Provincial Office’s Provincial Intelligence Unit and Surigao City Police Station.
The suspects, identified as Gil Harvey Makiling (beautician and comedian), Josel Escatron (optometrist), and Christian Melis, were arrested inside a hotel room on Narciso Street. This hotel room was allegedly used as a drug den, where the suspects reportedly conducted illegal drug activities. Among the three, two suspects tested positive for drug use after submitting urine samples.
Confiscated Items
Authorities seized an estimated PHP 33,000 worth of shabu during the operation, along with various items related to the sale and consumption of illegal drugs. The seized items included:
- Drug Evidence:
- One heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing approximately 0.5 grams of shabu (valued at PHP 1,000), sold by suspect Gil Harvey Makiling.
- Five heat-sealed sachets with a total of about 5 grams of shabu (estimated at PHP 30,000) also found in Makiling’s possession.
- One sachet with approximately 0.01 grams of shabu (worth PHP 1,000) and drug paraphernalia including aluminum foil and a lighter, seized from Josel Escatron.
- Another sachet with about 0.1 grams of shabu (valued at PHP 1,000) and an aluminum foil strip found in the possession of Christian Melis.
- Non-Drug Evidence:
- A genuine PHP 1,000 bill (marked buy-bust money).
- Four mobile phones of various brands.
- Seven lighters, some modified for drug use.
- Several aluminum foil strips, plastic strips, an improvised bamboo sealer, and a pair of scissors.
The arrested suspects reportedly tried to conceal their identities by covering their faces as they were taken into custody. They are currently detained at PDEA RO XIII’s custodial facility, where they will undergo further legal processing.
Charges to Be Filed
The suspects are expected to face multiple charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (RA 9165). Specifically, they will be charged with violations under Sections 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12 of Article II of RA 9165, which cover the sale, possession, and maintenance of drug dens as well as possession of drug paraphernalia.
PDEA RO XIII expressed its commitment to intensifying operations against illegal drug activities, particularly targeting locations suspected of serving as drug dens in urban centers like Surigao City. Authorities urge the public to report suspicious activities in their communities to aid in the campaign against illegal drugs.
