New barangay chief collared for illegal drugs

By Celso Amo LEGAZPI CITY --- Anti-illegal drugs operatives nabbed the newly elected barangay chairman of Sampaloc in Sorsogon City during a sting operation last Friday afternoon. Misael Hebres Larosa, 48, married and newly elected barangay captain, was nabbed during a joint operation by elements of Bicol PNP Regional Intelligence Division, Sorsogon Provincial Police Office, and PDEA Sorsogon under the leadership of PDEA Regional Director Christian Frivaldo during a sting along Ballesteros St. in Purok 6 at about 4:45 p.m., according to Senior Inspector Malou Calubaquib, Bicol PNP spokesperson. The suspect has been a former drug surrenderee and ranked No. 3 in the provincial drug watchlist. “Barangay Sampaloc in Sorsogon City is a haven of illegal drugs due to a lot of informal settlers,” according to Supt. Edison Domangas, Sorsogon City police chief. “We had been conducting a lot of operations against illegal drugs there.” The suspect was elected as new barangay chairman, replacing his father who is a retired police superintendent. Recovered from Larosa were three sachets of shabu weighing 15 grams worth about P60,000 including P30,000 cash. The sting operation was conducted despite Sorsogon City under Mayor Sally Lee being declared a drug- free city only recently.