NBI Nabs 5 ‘Ecstacy Peddlers’ in Pasay Concert

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have arrested five suspects involved in the manufacture and sale of ecstasy in the “Close-Up Forever Summer Concert” at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) in Pasay City that claimed the lives of five people last May 21.

NBI-Anti Illegal Drugs Division Chief Atty. Joel Tovera on Wednesday identified the suspects as Seergeoh Villanueva alias Gio, spouses Marc Deen and Erica Valbuena, Thomas Halili and Martin Dimacali, who are all students of the International School.

According to Tovera, the five suspects were arrested during the conduct of a buy bust-operation in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in a condominium unit of Villanueva in Parañaque City.

Tovera said that the five suspects manufactured the ecstasy through a “kitchen-type” manner only.

Authorities also recovered some drug paraphernalia from the suspects. (PNA) BNB/PTR