The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said yesterday that a government official in Palawan is allegedly involved in illegal drugs.
Christopher Torres, provincial officer of the PDEA-Palawan revealed the information during the Question Hour of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Puerto Princesa presided by Vice Mayor Nancy Socrates. The City has invited law enforcers, including the PDEA during its regular session to shed light on one of its anti-drug operations in the city, that resulted to the arrest of two suspects, including a police officer assigned in Palawan Provincial Police Office.
Though he did not name names due to high confidentiality of the information, the anti-drug agency’s official said that they continuously investigate the monitor the official’s involvement in illegal drug trade.
“May active na government official (na involved sa drugs). May monitoring na ginagawa sa kanila, sa estado sa involvement nila sa drugs,” he said.
He likewise said that though there are police officers involved in illegal drugs, but most of them are no longer in active service.
When asked if administrative cases, aside from criminal charges, where filed to police officers in Palawan who involved in illegal drugs, Police Col. Alonzo Tabi Jr., Deputy Chief for Operations of the PNP- Puerto Princesa City Police Office said that appropriate actions were taken against them, and they were dismissed from service because of that.
“Natatanggal po sila through administrative proceedings,” he said.
He explained that since the involved policeman during the June 1, 2020, anti-drug operations in Barangay Bagong Sikat is under the Palawan Provincial Police Office, their role in the City PNP will be to recommend for the filing of administrative cases.
“Gagawa kami ng report. Recommendations ang pwede naming gawin. Sa aming investigation report nakalagay na file-(lan) ng appropriate admin and criminal case,” P/Col Tabi further explained.
To recall, Police/Master Sgt. Abejo Pablico, who is assigned at the Palawan Provincial Police Office (PPPO) specifically in Agutaya police station, and one Arnel Ramirez Alvarade, 37, were arrested in an anti-illegal drugs operation conducted by the Puerto Princesa City Anti-Crime Task Force, PNP Drugs Enforcement Units (PDEU).
The buy-bust operation was conducted in Barangay Bagong Sikat, of the city’s urban barangay, with Alvarade transacting with a police asset while Pablico was in the car waiting.
P/MSgt. Pablico was recruited to the PNP in Calabarzon, prior to his assignment in PPPO.
Presently, P/MSgt Pablico is still recuperating at the hospital and will be turned over to the City BJMP later.
City Councilor Elgin Damasco in his message, commended the actions of the authorities.
“I commend the PNP na nahuli nila ang suspek at hindi po nila pinatay,” he said.
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