MANILA, Philippines — Eleven men — mostly professionals — were arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency at an upscale hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City where they had gathered for an alleged drug party on Sunday morning.
Presenting the suspects to media Monday night, PDEA chief Aaron Aquino said the targets of their operation were model Edmond Remegio and model-singer Pedro “Malik” Coronel Jr., both 33, who allegedly supply party drugs to celebrities and bar patrons at BGC.
The others arrested were:
- Manuel Valdes, 34, insurance agent
- Jake Tolentino, 33, insurance processor
- Jose Carlo Torres, 38, engineer
- Mario Aclan, 27, makeup artist
- Leo Angelo Padasan, 28
- Jevel Lucero, 22, student
- Carlo Kasala, 25, opthalmologist
- Legui Brylle Gonzales, 28
- Bryan Dizon, 20, software developer
Aquino said the suspects were allegedly about to engage in PNP, or “party and play,” and chemrom, or “chemical romance,” the latter term used to indicate drug use to heighten sexual gratification, in Unit 609 of the Seda Hotel on 11th Avenue.
The contraband allegedly seized during the raid included the party drug “ecstasy,” crystal meth or “shabu,” and GBL or gamma hydroxybutyrate, an odorless narcotic commonly known as a “club drug” or “date rape drug” that is often mixed with alcoholic drinks.
Aquino said Remegio allegedly organized the party.
But Remegio denied this and claimed a “frame-up.”
He said he had only been “invited” to what he believed was Valdes’ birthday party. He did admit to “occasional” drug us.
Coronel also said he had been invited, which is why “may dala po akong alak, akala ko inuman (I even had liquor because I thought we’d be drinking),” and maintained he was a “victim.”
Aquino said Remegio and Coronel will be charged with drug peddling and possession, the nine others for drug use.
