A medical student, who allegedly posed as a physician, has been arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Quezon City for reportedly selling illegal drugs.
The NBI identified the suspect as Rose Vill Pabalan Maldo from whom “a total of 27 milliliters of Cannabis oil with an estimated value of P26,000, a 9mm Taurus G3 pistol and several pieces of ammunition, and a 9mm Taurus G3 pistol with several pieces of ammunition were confiscated.”
It said the “seized illegal drugs were submitted before Forensic Chemistry Division (NBI-FCD) for laboratory examination and analysis, which yielded positive results for the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol, a dangerous drug with total net weight of 27 milliliters.”
Also, the NBI said that a check with the Philippine National Police’s Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO) showed that Maldo has a license to own and possess firearms that will expire on March 4, 2023.
“However, Subject Maldo failed to show a Certificate of Exemption from Gun Ban,” it said.
“Further investigation revealed that Subject is a medical student/intern and during the conduct of tactical interrogation, he admitted that he is not a licensed physician,” it added.
Maldo was arrested during a buy-bust operation that was conducted by operatives of NBI-SAU last March 9 at a coffee shop in Barangay Imelda, Quezon City.
The NBI said the operation Maldo was conducted based on information a medical practitioner is selling cannabis oil online as medicine for cancer, epilepsy, pain relief and other diseases and as an additive to e-cigarette or vape juice.
With the confirmation of the information, it said its operatives planned the entrapment operation.
Last March 10, Maldo was charged with violation of Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002; Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution No. 10728 in relation to the Omnibus Election Code; and falsification by private individual and use of falsified document under Article 172 in relation to Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended.