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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Police authorities and anti-drug agents arrested a volunteer radio reporter, along with two others, during a buy-bust operation here on Sunday evening.
The arrest of Lodymer Jagos of Radyo Bandera Network (RBN) was confirmed by the station’s management.
Based on the after operation report of the Police Station 8, a buy-bust was conducted against Jagos in Barangay Carmen around 10 p.m. after the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confirmed his illegal drug activities.
Jagos had allegedly been under surveillance for quite some time already.
Reportedly taken from his possession were three sachets containing suspected shabu and the P500 marked money used in the operation.
Jagos had told local reporters that he was not involved in drug pushing, contrary to what was being claimed by authorities.
Following his arrest, the RBN management ordered all its stations and affiliates to subject their personnel to undergo drug tests.
Elgin Damasco, the RBN president and chief executive officer, said all applicants were also now required to submit certifications from the barangay, the police and PDEA that they were not involved in the illegal drugs trade.
Damasco said the RBN management was “deeply saddened by the involvement of one of its volunteer reporters in Cagayan de Oro” in illegal drugs.
“We would like to clarify that the act committed by Jagos is his personal activity and is not connected in any way with the radio station, the management and the network,” he added.
Tito Monterde, the president of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), said Jagos was not a KBP member.
In a separate statement, the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) said Jagos was also not a member pf the group and that it condemned media personalities who violate the law.
“The COPC condemns any illegal act perpetrated by members of the press. As purveyors of truth, justice and peace, we the media community strictly adhere to what is right and just in the exercise of our profession,” said COPC president Ruffy Magbanua.
Meanwhile, city police spokesperson Supt. Mardy Hortillosa said law enforcers were conducting follow-up operations in the hope of capturing Jagos’ suppliers.
READ: Ex-TV cameraman caught with shabu at QC checkpoint