Finally, the two suspected most notorious drug pushers in Dagupan City, a husband and wife team, were arrested Wednesday by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 1.

Datu Michael Kali Bagul, 49, president of the Dagupan Muslim Association and his wife, Anna Liza Bagul, 40, were arrested in a buy-bust entrapment operation in Bonuan Tondaligan. Both were listed as number one and two in the drug watchlist in the city.

The suspects, who have long been under PDEA surveillance, however, denied the allegations against them.

Unknown to them, lawyer Roehl de Castro, PDEA’s legal officer and provincial supervisor, acted as the buyer.

Accompanied by an informant who has been tapped by the PDEA as its asset, De Castro went to the couple’s house to buy the illegal drugs.

De Castro said they are set to file charges against the Baguls in violation of section 5 Article 2 of Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Senior Superintendent Jane Aonso, PDEA Region 1 director, commended her men for the arrest.

According to her, while the Dagupan police station did not actively participate in the entrapment operation, the plan was coordinated with the city police station.

Dagupan chief of police Dionicio Borromeo also confirmed that Bagul is high on the watch list of his station and admitted no entrapment operation was ever conducted. He cited some difficulty in arranging the entrapment operation when asked why it took the PDEA to act on Bagul’s arrest.

According to Borromeo, Bagul’s wife has an arrest record.

Pangasinan, according to Aonsa, is still classified as “category 2” or “moderately affected” by the illegal drugs trade.#

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