A 40-year-old man in Quezon City was arrested after authorities found in his possession a sachet of suspected shabu which he allegedly bought using the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) cash aid or "ayuda" he received from the national government.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) identified the suspect as Joven Llera, a resident of Matandang Balara, who was initially caught violating curfew hours along Laura St. in Quezon City around 3 a.m.
" was reminded that he violated the curfew hour but the suspect arrogantly answered back to the arresting officer which prompted the police to demand for his identification," a police report read.
Barangay personnel Elesio Barena said Llera was already apprehended in the same "grassy lot" for loitering. Reports said he returned to the area during curfew hours.
"Binaba namin doon sa bahay nila . Eh tumawag itong mga volunteer natin, na nahuli nila na may binalikan na shabu na naitago nya doon sa damuhan (We brought him to his house after we nabbed him. But later on, our barangay volunteers called and said they caught him again as he returned to the area to get the shabu he hid)," Barena said in a GMA interview.
"Natanong ko sya, 'yung pera nyang nabigay doon...galing sa SAP nya (I asked him where he got the money he gave to the seller. He said, it came from the cash assistance)," he said, "Kaya nakakasama ng damdamin dahil ayuda na nga eh pangbisyo pa (So it's really disappointing that he used the cash assistance for his vice)."
The suspect denied the allegation in the GMA interview.
Police said the suspect would be referred to the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.