Three policemen arrested in a buy-bust operation in Parang town, Maguindanao on October 30, 2019 (Photo from Police Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao)
MANILA, Philippines – Three police officers tagged linked to illegal drugs and recently arrested in an anti-drug operation in Maguindanao are facing dismissal from the service, Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP), announced Monday.
Gamboa said he instructed Brig. Gen. Marni Marcos, director of the Police Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, to initiate summary dismissal proceedings within 15 days against the three police officers assigned at the Marantao, Maguindanao police station.
The errant police officers were identified as Executive Master Sergeant Monjel Nassal Aradais, the deputy chief of police of Marantao town, Staff Sergeant Fahmi Bangon Como, and Pat. Sandiali Magundacan Manalao.
They were arrested by joint units of the PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on October 30 and allegedly yielded 50 grams of suspected “shabu.”
READ: 3 cops jailed for illegal drugs in Maguindanao
The join operation targeted a local drug syndicate operating in Maguindanao and nearby areas,.
During the inventory of seized items, however, arresting officers found out that the suspects, who were in civilian clothes during the arrest, were actually members of the PNP.
Capt. Sainodin Benasing, Marantao police chief, has been relieved from his post and will also face investigation, saif Gamboa.
“I would like to emphasize that the PNP internal cleansing program that we are implementing will be swift, decisive, and uncompromising, especially against personnel involved in illegal drugs,” said Gamboa.
The looming dismissal of the three police officers developed even as the PNP recently found itself entangled in the “ninja cops” or drug recycling controversy that resulted in the resignation last month of then-PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde./gsg