A guest relations officer (GRO) cum masseuse of a videoke bar in General Santos City was arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) after selling suspected shabu to a PDEA agent who posed as client.
PDEA Director General Jose S. Gutierrez, Jr. identified the arrested GRO as Rizalena Mercader, 32, who works in Boomtown Videoke Bar in Barangay Dadiangas South, General Santos City. It was discovered that she would sell shabu to customers of the videoke bar and to her clients who would require her services as masseuse.
Gutierrez revealed that Mercader is included in the PDEA Regional Targetlist and has been under surveillance of PDEA Regional Office 12 (PDEA RO 12) for months. This was after PDEA RO 12 received report from a confidential informant about the illegal drug activities of Mercader.
Mercader yielded three plastic sachets of shabu during the buy-bust operation conducted on September 19, 2011 at the videoke bar where she worked. During initial interview, Mercader intentionally misled authorities by giving a false identity. However, during tactical interrogation, investigators were able to uncover her deceit.
Mercader is presently detained at the PDEA RO 12 detention facility. Documentary requirements for filing appropriate drug cases against the suspect are being prepared by PDEA RO 12. Meanwhile, the drug evidence confiscated from Mercader was turned over to PNP Crime Laboratory for laboratory analysis. Evangeline DJ Almenario, Chief, Public Information Office, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)
