Pusher, gay partner get life terms for shabu

BAGUIO CITY – A regional trial court judge recently found a resident here and his gay partner guilty for illegal drug pushing and sentenced them both to life imprisonment with a penalty of P5 million.

Found guilty by Antonio C. Reyes, presiding judge of RTC, Branch 61, First Judicial Region here were Joseph Merlin B. Domingo alias “Biboy,” 47, married, with his heterosexual runner, Ferdinand B. Carmelo alias “Diane”, 42, married and a beautician.

Cases for illegal, drugs were filed against Domingo in 2004 and 2009 but these were dismissed.

Carmelo was also earlier penalized to 12 years and one day to 20 years incarceration with P300,000 fine for illegal possession of shabu.

Court records said Domingo was a member of Domingo Drug Group in the Cordillera.
He was last arrested with Carmelo on Feb. 23, 2010 at Sgt. Floresca St., Aurora Hill Proper here where they were nabbed with two sachets of shabu by anti-narcotics agents.

Earlier, last April 25, Domingo’s younger sister, Heidi was likewise convicted to life term and fine of P10 million by the same court.

She was caught on July 21, 2010 delivering two sachets of shabu and paraphernalia, concealed in an emptied toothpaste tube, to Domingo, who had been in prison then at the city jail.

She was intercepted by jail officers. Prior to this, Heidi had also been apprehended and acquitted for drug law violations.