MANILA, Philippines – Six individuals accused of operating a drug distribution network in Northern and Central Luzon were arrested by authorities, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.

The PNP identified the suspects as Marlon Miranda, 34; Joey Palaeyan, 33; Freddie Letta, 35; Carl Andrei Maico, 22; Lorraine Fulgencio, 24; and Via Jean Ortega, 19.

They were arrested on Wednesday in San Francisco, Concepcion in Tarlac in an operation jointly conducted by the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, the Provincial Enforcement Unit Tarlac PPO, and the Concepcion Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Seized from the suspects were bricks of suspected dried marijuana leaves weighing 158 kilograms with an estimated street value of P18.96 million.

Also confiscated from the suspects were another five bricks of suspected dried marijuana leaves with fruiting tops worth P600,000, five pieces of P1,000 with UV dust powder used as buy-bust money along with 145 pcs boodle money; one cellular phone used in the transaction of marijuana; one unit of Toyota Altis; one mobile phone; and 100 rounds of ammunition.

Citing a report from Police Brigadier General Valeriano de Leon, PNP chief General Debold Sinas said the operation was conducted after the suspects sold operatives, who posed as buyer, 25 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves worth P3 million.

“Further investigation revealed that these suspects are actively engaged in the Illegal drug trade activities, specifically Marijuana within Region 1 and 3,” Sinas added.

The arrested suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the PNP provincial drug enforcement unit.

The PNP said documents for the filing of complaints are also being prepared.

The Philippine Embassy in the United States has warned Filipinos in Washington D.C. to avoid areas with massive protests to ensure their safety.

Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez reminded Filipinos residing in the U.S. capital and other nearby areas to steer clear from protest and remain vigilant until the tension eased.

“Simula ngayon hanggang sa paghupa ng public emergency, pinapayuhan namin ang mga Pilipino, iyong mga nakatira, nagta-trabaho, pumupunta sa Washington D.C. at mga kalapit na lugar na palaging mag-ingat at maging mapagmasid sa kanilang paligid (From now until the public emergency has subsided, we advise Filipinos residing, working, or visiting Washington D.C. and nearby areas to be careful and be alert of their surroundings),“ he said.

“Iwasan din ang mga lugar kung saan may kilos-protesta at malaking pagtitipon at sumunod sa mga emergency measure na ipinatutupad ng mga otoridad (Avoid areas with protests and mass gatherings, as well as, follow emergency measures implemented by authorities),“ he added.

This is after several protestors breached the US Capitol in a bid to stop Congress from officially declaring Joe Biden’s victory over former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Malacañang already instructed the PH Embassy in the U.S. to continue monitoring the situation especially if there is a Filipino that is injured or affected by possible violence during one of the protests. — AAC

A Monterrey-based advertising company in Mexico changed its set of operations and now offers local residents the opportunity to rent a glass-enclosed mobile cabin to present newborns to family amid the ongoing pandemic.

A glass-enclosed mobile cabin arrives at the venue and is deep cleaned before proud parents and newborn make their entrance, while relatives and friends drive past honking their horns to take a peek at the baby.

Only close relatives are then allowed to get down from their vehicles in order to get a closer look. Renting the cabin costs $900 pesos ($40 dollars) per hour.

Adman Ernesto Gonzalez, came up with the enterprise because his daughter was born in June and he was worried that his 95-year-old grandmother would be unable to meet her.

Mexico racked up a record number of new confirmed coronavirus infections on Saturday (August 1), registering more than 9,000 daily cases for the first time and passing the previous peak for the second day running, official data showed.

Mexico’s health ministry reported 9,556 new cases of coronavirus, surging past the record of 8,458 set on Friday. The ministry also logged 784 additional fatalities, bringing the total tally in the country to 434,193 cases and 47,472 deaths. (Reuters)

(Production: Daniel Becerril, Rodolfo Pena Roja, Geraldine Downer)