Family in Quezon City uses COVID-19 aid to allegedly buy and sell shabu

Authorities arrested a family of four in Quezon City who used their financial aid in the illegal drugs trade on Monday despite the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

According to James Agustin’s Tuesday report on “24 Oras,” the mother, Elvie Flores, her son Angelito, daughter Nathalie and her in-law, Raquel Bona were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tatalon.

Elvie and Bona, who were both beneficiaries under the national government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), received P6,700 each and used them as capital to sell illegal drugs.

The police seized from them 13 sachets of suspected shabu with a street value of P34,000.

“‘Yong kaniyang anak, ginagamit na tagapag-abot ‘pag may bumibili ng droga. Siya ‘yong ginagamit na runner and then ‘yong kaniyang balae, base sa ating imbestigasyon ay gumagamit din o kumukuha,” said Police Captain Randy Llanderal, Quezon City Police District Station 11 Deputy Station Commander.

The suspect, Elvie, admitted she has been selling illegal drugs with her children in the last three years.

“Pinambubuhay ko po sa mga anak ko dahil wala po akong asawa,” she said.

“Sa sobrang kahirapan po ng buhay kaya po namin nagagawa ‘yon,” Angelito added.

Meanwhile, Bona denied she was involved in the illegal transaction.

“‘Di ko po alam ‘yong transaksyon nila,” Bona said.

The police are preparing the charges that will be filed against the suspects. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News