By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — A 53-year-old man wanted for drug sale and possession was arrested Saturday afternoon in Tondo, Manila by operatives of the Manila Police District–District Special Operations Unit, authorities said.
The accused, Jerrifer Cortez y Reyes, alias “Ernie,” was collared at about 2:30 PM on April 19 along Delpan Street, Barangay 275, Tondo, during a manhunt operation led by PLT Rolando N. Morada Jr. of DSOU.
Police said Cortez, a resident of 1478 Fugoso St., Sta. Cruz, is listed as an “Other Wanted Person” under a bench warrant of arrest for two violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002:
Section 5, Article II – Sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, and transportation of dangerous drugs
Section 11, Article II – Possession of dangerous drugs
The warrant, covering Criminal Case Nos. R-MNL-20-07120-CR and R-MNL-07122-CR, was issued on February 12, 2026 by Judge Danilo D. Leyva of Regional Trial Court Branch 175, Manila. Bail was set at P2,500 for each charge, or P5,000 total.
In compliance with Supreme Court A.M. 21-06-08-SC, PSMS Allan Rich Q. Silva Jr. used an OPPO A6 Pro cellphone as an Alternative Recording Device during the operation.
Upon arrest, PSSg Emerson Ray A. Visperas informed Cortez of his constitutional rights in Tagalog, as well as his rights under the Anti-Torture Act (R.A. 9745).
Cortez was brought to Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center for physical and medical examination before being taken to the DSOU office at around 4:05 PM for booking. He will be temporarily detained at the MPD custodial facility.
The manhunt was conducted under the supervision of PLTCOL R A Guardaya, chief of DSOU. Police said the warrant will be returned to the court of origin.
ia/xf
