The Regional Trial Court Branch 30 meted stiff prison terms to four persons arrested in drug raids in Dumaguete City last year, and were found guilty of violating the anti-drugs law.
Judge Rafael Crescencio Tan Jr. found accused John Mark Banatanto, Marvin Calumpong, Dennis Ramirez, and Isaac Trupa Banagua guilty of violating provisions of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Tan said Banatanto had a higher penalty of 20 years as minimum to life imprisonment because the quantity of the shabu confiscated from him was 9.18 grams.
Banatanto’s defense of denial and frame-up can easily be fabricated and are common ploy in the prosecution for illegal sale and possession of dangerous drugs, the judge said. “Such defenses are even weaker in this case in the face of positive identification of the accused by prosecution witnesses,” he added.
Banagua was sentenced to 12 years and one day minimum to 14 years maximum, and fined P400,000.
In the case of Calumpong, the presumption of innocence accorded him was overturned by the evidence presented by the prosecution. The prosecution had convincingly proven beyond reasonable doubt that he committed the crime charged, Tan said.
Calumpong and Ramirez were each fined P500,000. (PNA/JG)
