BUSTED. Four members of the police force in Olongapo City were arrested in the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday (Jan. 15, 2021), along with a civilian suspect in connection with the discovery and dismantling of a clandestine laboratory used in the manufacture of illegal drugs. Confiscated from the suspects were 300 grams of suspected shabu, various laboratory equipment and chemicals used in the manufacture of drugs, four Glock 17 9mm pistols, five cellular phones, a Honda Civic 1996 sedan with plate number UKM 779, and bundles of boodle money used in the operation. (Photo courtesy of SBMA)
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Four members of the police force in Olongapo City were arrested here on early Friday morning along with a civilian suspect in connection with the discovery and dismantling of a clandestine laboratory used in the manufacture of illegal drugs.
A report from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police in the National Capitol Region (PNP CIDG-NCR) identified the police personnel as Lt. Reynato Basa Jr., Corporal Gino dela Cruz, Corporal Edesyr Victor Alipio, and Corporal Godfrey Duclayan Parentela, all assigned at Station 2 of the Olongapo City Police Office.
The lone civilian arrested in the operation, on the other hand, was identified as Jericho Dabu, a resident of Olongapo City, who tried to sell one kilo of shabu to a poseur-buyer from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The operation was carried out at 336-B Finback Street, Kalayaan, Subic Bay Freeport by the PDEA National Capital Region and Region 3 offices, PNP-CIDG Northern Manila, PNP-CIDG Zambales, PNP Maritime Group, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s Intelligence and Investigation Office (SBMA-IIO).
Confiscated from the suspects were 300 grams of suspected shabu, various laboratory equipment and chemicals used in the manufacture of drugs, four Glock 17 9mm pistols, five cellular phones, a Honda Civic 1996 sedan with plate number UKM 779, and bundles of boodle money used in the operation.
The SBMA-IIO said the operation started around 2 p.m. Thursday, after operatives conducted surveillance in the area.
At past midnight, the authorities proceeded with a buy-bust operation which netted Dabu, who was caught receiving marked money in exchange for one kilo of shabu.
The arrest led to the discovery of the clandestine drug laboratory, which SBMA-IIO described as a “kitchen-type operation,” as well as the arrest of the alleged policemen-protectors inside the house where the laboratory was located.
SBMA chairman and administrator Wilma T. Eisma commended the law enforcement units involved in the operation “for ferreting out this scourge that erodes the very ideals of the Subic Bay Freeport as an investment and economic growth center”.
“The SBMA will always support our law enforcement agencies in ridding our society of elements that degrade our decent and lawful way of life,” Eisma said in a statement.
The SBMA chief also called on residents and other stakeholders in the Freeport to be vigilant against all forms of criminality.
“Let us care for each other in this community. Let us know our neighbors and contribute all we can to keep Subic safe for everybody,” she added.
Meanwhile, PNP chief, Gen. Debold Sinas said he wants the stiffest criminal and administrative penalties meted against the four police officers.
“These people are ‘rotten to the core’ and do not deserve to be associated with the rest of the 220,000 PNP members who are serving honorably and with dignity,” he said in a statement.
Sinas said he will do everything within his authority under existing PNP regulations to ensure the successful prosecution of these rogue cops.
He also instructed PNP Director for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) Maj. Gen. Marne Marcos to closely supervise the filing of criminal charges against the four erring police officers.
Sinas instructed Central Luzon Police Regional director, Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, to disarm and place the four personnel under restrictive custody at the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit to ensure their availability to face further investigation.
He ordered immediate drug testing of all personnel of the Olongapo City Police Office starting with all CDEU operatives.
The PNP chief also ordered the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) to initiate summary dismissal proceedings against the four CDEU personnel involved. (With a report from Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
