PDEA agent cleared of illegal drug charges

An anti-narcotics agent who was arrested last year in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, was acquitted of drug charges in court.

Intelligence officer Steven Valles, who was previously assigned at the Cebu City-based Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7), was released from jail  on Friday.

In his decision, Regional Trial Court Judge Suzeco Arcamo said there were several inconsistencies in the arresting officers’ testimonies and in the chain of custody of evidence. The judge said the prosecution also failed to establish that a buy-bust operation really took place.

After his acquittal, Valles will be assigned to the administrative office of the PDEA-7, said Jessie Tabanao, information officer of PDEA-7.

Valles was detained  for eight months after his arrest by members of the Bohol Provincial Intelligence Branch.

Seized during the operation was P100,000 worth of shabu.

PDEA-7  earlier cleared Valles in its administrative investigation. /CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON