CEBU CITY, Philippines - A man from Barangay (village) Calamba in Cebu City is facing at least 12 years in jail after he was found guilty of possession of illegal drugs.Benjamin Jamito, 23, was found guilty of possessing 0.04 grams of shabu. He was sentenced from 12 years to 15 years imprisonment. Regional Trial Court Judge Gabriel Ingles of Branch 58 also ordered Jamito to pay P300,000 in fine. Jamito was arrested after police found one plastic sachet of shabu in his possession on October 19, 2006 in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City. Policemen, who were patrolling the area, saw Jamito standing with the sachet in his hand. Jamito tried to flee but failed to elude arrest. Judge Ingles, in his decision, said that he did not appreciate the denial of the accused that he was only bringing a bag and that the policemen even demanded P200,000 from him. He said the denial could easily be concocted and was the usual excuse of the accused. Meanwhile, a man was also found guilty of possessing illegal drug paraphernalia. Carmelito Basalo was sentenced to six months to eight months imprisonment after he was convicted of possessing five rolled strips of aluminum foil, a blade, 10 empty plastic sachets and cut tissue papers. Ingles ordered Basalo to pay the court a fine of P10,000. /Correspondent Ador Vincent S. Mayol | 
