Branch 8 of the Regional Trial Court in La Trinidad, Benguet, sentenced Roldan Jacinto y Lao-an, alias “Simple Heart”, and Rocky Jet Bagoling y Layogan to life imprisonment and fined each of them 500,000 pesos after finding them guilty of selling nearly 20 kilos of dried marijuana.[1][2] In its 44-page decision of 24 September 2026 the court found both guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165, the comprehensive dangerous drugs law.[1][2]
The case came from a buy-bust on 3 March 2026 in Barangay Betag in La Trinidad, where officers seized 19,894.82 grams of dried marijuana leaves, stalks and fruiting tops packed in 20 tubular forms, worth about 2.38 million pesos at the standard value.[1][2]
That operation was carried out by the Regional Special Enforcement Team and the Baguio provincial office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for the Cordillera Administrative Region, together with the Benguet police drug enforcement and intelligence units, the provincial police office and the La Trinidad municipal station.[2]
PDEA chief Isagani Nerez announced the conviction on 28 September 2026 and said it showed that “our fight against illegal drugs does not end with an arrest or the seizure of contraband”.[1][2] He said the agency would “pursue the sellers, build the cases properly, and work to ensure that those responsible are held accountable in court”, while stressing speedy but legally sound prosecution and respect for the rights of the accused.[1][2]