The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) warned the public on Tuesday against persons posing as anti-illegal drug agents to fool people and commit crime.
PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino issued the alert after authorities recently collared a fake PDEA operative and his female companion in Laguna.
In a statement, the PDEA said that Jhay-R Repana, 31; and Rosemimi Facal, 20, initially got involved in a shootout along Dr. A. Santos Avenue in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City on the evening of February 24.
A follow-up operation by Parañaque City police led them to Sta. Rosa Hospital in Laguna since Repana was wounded during the shooting incident. Authorities consequently checked Repana’s vehicle parked nearby.
During the vehicle inspection, investigators discovered one caliber 38 revolver with pieces of ammunition, one plastic sachet containing suspected “shabu,” as well as one improvised tooter and lighter.
Aquino said Repana identified himself as a PDEA operative, and even showed an identification card to arresting authorities.
“It comes as no surprise that there are people who misrepresent themselves as PDEA agents or as members of other law enforcement units to perform their illegal activities,” Aquino pointed out.
“Our agents have undergone rigorous training for months, imbibing in them the core values of the PDEA organization. We will not tolerate unscrupulous people who pretend to be our agents and tarnish the Agency’s integrity just like that,” he also lamented.
According to Aquino, the suspects will be charged for possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia in violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Repana and Facal will also be charged for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, usurpation of authority as well as alarm and scandal, Aquino added.
“The PDEA advices the public to immediately report any individuals introducing themselves as PDEA Agents while committing a criminal act,” the PDEA chief said.
The public, Aquino said, may text their report to the following numbers 24/7: 0999-888-7332 for SMART, 0925-573-7332 for Sun, and 0927-915-0616 for Globe. /kga