G.R.No.196966:PEOPLEVS.

MAONG
CO

Facts:AlvinCarpiowasapprehendedforillegalpossessionofdangerousdrug(shabu)duringtheconduct
of
specialoperation.Whenhewasaskedaboutthesourceoftheshabu,hetoldthepolicethatitwasMichael
Maongco.Thereafter,policeofficersconductedanoperationinvolvingCarpiobuyingtwo(2)“bulto”of
shabufromMaongco.Thereafter,thepoliceofficerswenttotheplacewhereMaongcowaswaitingandwa
s apprehendedafterthelattershowedtheone(1)“bulto”ofshabu.Arugayaskedwheretheother“bulto”
was,MaongcosaidthatitwasinthepossessionofPhansBandaliwhowaswaitinginJollibee,Pantranco
Branch.Thereafter,theywenttothatplaceandMaongcotoldthepoliceofficersthatBandaliwaswearinga
bluet-shirt.VenerOng,apolicofficer,approachedBandalianddemandedfromthelattertheotherhalfof
thedrugsordered.Bandalivoluntarilyhandedoverasachetofshabu.Then,Bandaliwasapprisedofhis
violationandofhisconstitutionalrights.Theseizedshabuwasproperlypreservedinaccoradancewith
Section21(a)oftheImplementingRulesofRA9165.MaongcoandBandali,thepetitioner,wereboth
chargedforviolationofSection5,ArticleIIofRA9165(ComprehensiveDangerousDrugActoof2002).Th
e petitionersallegedtherewasnolegitimatebuy-bustoperationbecausetherewasnoactualsaleof
dangerousdrugintheoperationconductedbypoliceofficers.

Issue:WhetherornotthepetitionersmaystillbeheldcriminallyliableunderSection5,ArticleIIofRA9165
eveniftherewasnolegitimatebuy-bustoperation.

Ruling:TheSupremeCourtruledintheaffirmative.Well-
settledinjurisprudencethatthecrimeofillegalsale
ofdangerousdrugsnecessarilyincludesthecrimeofillegalpossessionofdangerousdrugs.Thesamerul
ing
mayalsobeappliedtotheotheractspenalizedunderArticleII,Section5ofRepublicActNo.9165because
fortheaccusedtobeabletotrade,administer,dispense,deliver,giveawaytoanother,distribute,dispatch
intransit,ortransportanydangerousdrug,hemustnecessarilybeinpossessionofsaiddrugs.Thus,still,
thepetitionerareheldliable.