Judge Delia Panganiban of Makati-RTC Branch 135 meted life imprisonment on accused Ceferino Dy alyas "Boy Hapon," Jesus Hapa, George Eyam, Wilfredo Encila, Ricardo Jacob, and Donato Capco for violating Sections 5 and 11, Article II of the Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Vice Mayor Ernesto S. Mercado, chair of the Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC) lauded Panganiban’s decision, saying the verdict will certainly boost the city’s campaign against illegal drugs.

"Boy Hapon" received the gravest penalty as he was meted double life imprisonment for violating both Sections 5 and 11. "Boy Hapon" was arrested after selling 0.23 grams of shabu to a MADAC operative during a buy bust operation in Erico Hotel, Guadalupe, Makati in 2003. Likewise, 19 plastic sachets (11.23 grams) of shabu were found and recovered from his possession during the raid.

In an eight-page decision, Panganiban cited the evidence and testimonies of MADAC operatives and police who conducted the raid and said the prosecution was able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

He said denials of the accused were weak especially when the prosecution succeeded in proving the presence of all the elements of the offenses as charged.

Aside from double life imprisonment, "Boy Hapon" was ordered to pay P500,000 (section 5) and P400,000 (Section 11) by the court.

Jesus Hapa, on the other hand, was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of P500,00 after he was nabbed while delivering 4.50 grams of shabu to a policeman, PO1 Peter Gonzales. Hapa was also guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violating Section 15 and ordered to undergo rehabilitation.

Gonzales, who was dismissed after his arrest for drug use, was found guilty of violating Section 11 and sentenced to 12 indeterminate years imprisonment pursuant to the Indeterminate Sentence Law.

Eyam was given life imprisonment and ordered to pay R400,000 after being caught with 47.80 grams of shabu in July, 2003 at the Guadalupe Commercial Complex.

Judge Panganiban likewise found Capco, Encila and Jabob guilty beyond reasonable doubt and meted life imprisonment. The three were arrested in separate buy-bust operations conducted by MADAC operatives and the Makati police sometime 2003 and 2005. They were also ordered to pay P500,000 by the court. (Hannah Torregoza)