Redentor Bautista—SOUTHERN POLICE DISTRICT
While his colleagues were on high alert for the observance of “Undas,” Police Officer 1 Redentor Bautista was high on illegal drugs while joining the Halloween partygoers in an upscale bar in Taguig City.
Bautista was arrested by his fellow policemen after he was found sniffing cocaine inside the comfort room of Island Palace Club bar in Bonifacio Global City before midnight of Wednesday.
A transparent ziplock plastic containing 0.4 grams of cocaine and a straw were found in the possession of the 34-year-old Bautista by the bar’s security personnel, according to a report submitted to the Southern Police District.
He said the drugs were given to him inside the bar but did not identify his source.
National Capital Region Police Office chief, Director Guillermo Eleazar lashed out at the rookie police officer.
“What kind of police officer sniffs cocaine inside a bar? Why are you there when we are on full alert status? You don’t deserve to be a part of the police force. Just resign already,” he told Bautista.
Full alert status
The Philippine National Police is on full alert status from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, to ensure the safety of the public during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Under full alert status, all police officers should be present and their leaves canceled.
Eleazar ordered the immediate relief of Bautista from his post at the Anti-Crime Unit of the Manila Police District Station 1 (Raxabago).
His superior, Chief Insp. Manny Israel, was also sacked for signing the leave form of Bautista, who claimed to be sick just to attend the Halloween party at the bar.
Illegal possession of drugs
Bautista was detained at Taguig police station, facing charges of illegal possession of drugs.
In a statement on Friday, Eleazar ordered all the five district directors of Metro Manila to intensify their random drug testing of their police officers.
“We are now almost three and a half years into a successful and continuing war against illegal drugs in the country. It is ironic that at this point of our campaign, we still get surprised by users of illegal drugs in our rank and file,” he said.