AWOL cop nabbed for selling drugs in Muntinlupa City

NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar (left) scolds former Pat. Victor Bustamante who was arrested in a drug buy-bust operation in Muntinlupa City on Thursday, August 29, 2019. (Photo from NCRPO)

MANILA, Philippines — A police officer who has gone absent without official leave (AWOL) was arrested in Muntinlupa City by agents led by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) after he was allegedly caught selling illegal drugs in a buy-bust operation, police said Friday.

A report from the NCRPO identified the suspect as Pat. Victor Salonga Bustamante, 37, who was arrested after a transaction with a poseur buyer at about  2:45 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Poblacion.

According to police, the suspect was formerly assigned with the Southern Police District of the NCRPO but was placed in AWOL status since February this year.

Police said the suspect was monitored to be allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade, prompting joint units of the NCRPO Regional Drug Enforcement Unit and Regional Special Operations Unit, Philippine National Police – Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, and the Muntinlupa City Police to launch the operation.

Confiscated by police from the suspect were two sachets containing suspected “shabu” weighing around 10 grams and with a street value of P68,000; marked cash used in the bust, and two 9mm pistol magazines.

Complaints for possession and selling of illegal drugs in violation of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act are now being prepared for filing against the suspect who is now detained at the RSOU office at the NCRPO headquarters in Taguig City.  /muf