By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent
ONE of five suspects arrested during a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental on Tuesday broke out in tears as he claimed innocence.
The suspect, Robert Bitco, said he was wrongly arrested by narcotics agents, claiming that he was merely at the wrong place at the wrong time.
The 28-year old Bitco, who cried like a baby inside a detention cell, said he was now worried for his three children who were dependent on him.
Locked up with Bitco at the PDEA detention cell here were Ephraim Potutan, 40, Reynold Vego, 28, Jeyreme Itom, 26, and Fernando Aboc, 34
The group was arrested while the PDEA was searching the house of Potutan at Zone 8, Barangay San Cruz, Tagoloan at around 3:45 pm on Tuesday.
PDEA regional director Wilkins Villanueva said Potutan’s home served as a drug den.
Villanueva said the search, ordered by Executive Judge Dennis Alcantar in Feb. 2, resulted in the seizure of some 50 grams of suspected shabu.
Villanueva said the target of the narcotics agents was Potutan but had to arrest the other men, including Bitco, because they were in the suspected drug den.
Potutan, he alleged, has been known to be involved in the drug trade in Tagoloan.
The suspects, according to Villanueva, also yielded drug paraphernalia.
Villanueva said the PDEA was preparing to press charges against the five suspects for violation of Republic Act 9165.
Pressed for comment by reporters, Potutan opted to keep mum.
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