Two drug suspects dashed to freedom recently when the court found reasonable doubt in the charges filed against them, while four other accused were sentenced to suffer imprisonment as provided.

Presiding Judge Rafael Crescencio Tan Jr. of Regional Trial Court Branch 30 acquitted Diosdado Chavez, alias Andok”, and Fe Ramos, alias “Epi” for failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Meanwhile, four persons who were accused of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, were sentenced separately.

Judito Veran Tinapunan, who was arrested on July 30, 2014 in Magsaysay, Dauin. Negros Oriental, was sentenced to suffer the penalty of life imprisonment and to pay a fine of P500,000 after he was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of selling shabu.

He was also found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of illegal possession of shabu and sentenced to a maximum of 14 years, and fined P400,000.

The other three who were sentenced were David Academia, Alaine Roy Fabugais and Roland Calumen.

Academia got a life sentence for selling and another 14 years for illegal possession of shabu with a total of P900,000 as fines.

He was arrested on Nov. 11, 2014 in Dumaguete City along with Fabugais who was sentenced a maximum of 14 years and fined P400,000 by the court.

Calumen, on the other hand was sentenced to suffer a maximum of 14 years for illegal possession and a fine of P400,000, as well as another sentence of 6 months to 2 years for possession of illegal drugs paraphernalia and an additional fine of P10,000.

At the Regional Trial Court Branch 34, Judge Rosendo Bandal Jr. also sentenced and accused for selling and possession of illegal drugs.

Sentenced by Bandal to life imprisonment was Wilbert Catalbas for selling in violation of Section 5, RA 9165 and another 14 years maximum for possession in violation of Section 11 with a total penalty of P900,000 for the two offenses.*JG

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