3 arrested, P544,000 worth of shabu seized in Marikina City
Police seized a total of P544,000 worth of illegal drugs from two women and a man tagged as high-value individuals (HVIs) in Marikina City on Thursday, Aug. 17.
Eastern Police District (EPD) Director Wilson Asueta identified the suspects as Marcelo Grande Jr., 39; Fatima Pastores, 35; and Bainot Mangulamas, 33.

The buy-bust operation was conducted at around 1: 10 a.m. on Jaybee Street in Barangay Nangka, Marikina City.
A poseur-buyer from the Marikina Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) purchased a single plastic sachet of suspected shabu from Grande Jr. and his cohorts Pastores and Mangulamas, leading to their arrest.
Some 80 grams of alleged shabu worth P544,000, divided into 10 plastic sachets, was recovered in the suspects’ possession.
Other confiscated items included a Rusi 125 motorcycle, a P500 bill as buy-bust money, and three pieces of P100 bill.
The suspects are in the custody of the Marikina police and are facing charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
“This accomplishment is a huge solution [in combating] illegal drugs and crime reduction in the community. Team EPD will continue to work in full force to eradicate illegal drug operations within our area of responsibility,” said Asueta in a statement.
Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), also lauded the efforts of the Marikina City Police Station and the Eastern Police District (EPD) for the success of the operation.
“We will not rest on our laurels until we accomplish our main objective which is to have a drug-free Metro Manila,” he said.