G.R. No. 249412, March 15, 2021
FACTS:
The City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group conducted a buy-bust operation acting on confidential information regarding the alleged illegal drug-peddling activities of Villalon. The accused had (a) sold and handed over to the police poseur-buyer a sachet containing shabu; (b) in his possession and control 3 transparent plastic sachets of shabu and (c) unlawfully in his possession the following equipments, instruments and paraphernalia intended for use of dangerous drugs – 2 lighter and a tube tooter.
Three (3) separate Informations were filed before the RTC charging Villalon with the crimes of Illegal Sale and Possession of Dangerous Drugs, as well as Illegal Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. For his part, the accused-appellant denied the charges against him and instead, claimed that during that time, he was waiting for his turn to buy soft drinks from a store when two (2) unknown people approached him and asked him if he was Jun-Jun Villalon, which he confirmed. They then held him and instructed him to bring them to his boarding house. Upon arrival they made him sit and then asked him where his money was, which he answered by pointing at the top of the table. One of them then showed him a small wallet with shabu inside that was allegedly his, which he vehemently denied. Subsequently, they brought him to the police station and detained him.