CAUGHT. An active cop and another police officer declared absent without official leave (AWOL) are in the custody of the Muntinlupa City Police after being caught in a buy-bust operation before midnight on Oct. 11, 2023. The cops will be charged with illegal possession of drugs and firearms. (Photo courtesy of NCRPO)
MANILA – Operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) have arrested an active cop and another police officer declared absent without official leave (AWOL) after they were caught selling suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation in Muntinlupa City.
In a statement released on Friday, NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. identified the suspects as Patrolman Rey Palomar Baldonasa, 25, currently assigned at the Drug Enforcement Unit of the NCRPO, and Carlos Rivera Navarro, 31, declared AWOL from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and previously assigned at the Caloocan City Police Office.
Nartatez said the two suspects were arrested by operatives of the Station Drug Enforcement Unit of the Muntinlupa City Police during a buy-bust operation conducted in Purok 10, Amparo Street, Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City at about 11:50 p.m. on Oct. 11.
Seized from the suspects during the sting were two 9-mm. Canik pistols, two Canik magazines with live ammunition, two PNP-issued identification cards, and suspected shabu weighing 10 grams with an estimated street value of PHP68,000.
Baldonasa and Navarro will be charged with violation of Article II, Sections 5, 11, and 26 of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and RA 10591, or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, in relation to Batas Pambansa 881, or the Omnibus Election Code.
The arrested cops are in the custody of the Muntinlupa City Police.
Nartatez reiterated that he would never tolerate any nefarious activities involving NCRPO personnel under his watch.
“Kung titingnan niyo, pulis hinuhuli ng kapwa pulis. Kailangan lang natin dito ituloy-tuloy at mabilis yung pacing natin. HInd tayo magsasawa, sisiguraduhin natin yan through due process, of course. Susundin natin lamang ang tamang proseso at ang ebidensiya ay nandiyan (If you notice, police officers are being arrested by their fellow police officers. We just need to be consistent and speed up the pacing. We will not get tired, though we will, of course, ensure due process. We will just follow the correct process and the evidence is there),” he said. (PNA)
