The Department of Justice (DOJ) underscored anew its support of President Duterte's thrust to run after individuals involved in drug-related activities by vigorously pursuing drug cases.

DOJ prosecutors from Luzon recently secured the conviction of six drug traffickers and users: Mario Mantoyan, Richard Buenaflor, Amina Emam, and a minor for Violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) of Republic Act (R.A.) 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002); and Alejandro Chan and Hadji Amen Randy for Violation of Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) of the same law.

Mantoyan was convicted by the Alaminos City, Pangasinan Regional Trial Court (RTC) - Branch 55 for selling to a poseur-buyer two plastic sachets of "shabu" in 2013 and was sentenced to suffer a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of P500,000.

Buenaflor was sentenced to suffer the penalty of life imprisonment without eligibility for parole and a fine of P500,000 for the same offense by the RTC - Branch 37 of Lingayen, Pangasinan. Additionally, he was sentenced to suffer imprisonment of 12 years and one day to 15 years and to pay a fine of P300,000 for Violation of Sec. 11, Article II of the same law.

Emam was sentenced to suffer the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of P500,000 by the Dagupan City RTC - Branch 41 for selling shabu to a poseur-buyer in 2012. She was likewise sentenced to suffer the penalty of imprisonment of 12 years and one day to 20 years and to pay a fine of P300,000 for illegal possession of shabu.

On the other hand, the Dagupan City, Pangasinan RTC - Branch 43 imposed upon a minor the indeterminate penalty of imprisonment of six years and one day to 14 years, eight months and one day and to pay a fine of P500,000 for selling shabu to a poseur-buyer. She was also sentenced to suffer an indeterminate penalty of imprisonment of six years and one day to 14 years, eight months and one day and to pay a fine of P300,000 for possession of the illegal substance.

However, due to the minority of the accused, her sentence was suspended and she was instead directed to be committed to the National Training and School for Girls - Marilac Hills in Alabang, Muntinlupa City for her rehabilitation in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) - Dagupan City.

Chan was sentenced by the Narvacan, Ilocos Sur RTC - Branch 22 to 12 years and one day to 14 years imprisonment and a fine of P300,000 while Magandia was sentenced to suffer the penalty of 12 years and one day to 20 years and a fine of P300,000, both for Violation of Sec. 11 of RA 9165.