National Capital Region Police Office chief P/Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo disclosed on Wednesday that authorities arrested an official of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency along with two agents and a driver during an anti-illegal drug operation in Taguig City.
Estomo identified the suspects as PDEA Southern District Office chief Enrique Lucero, PDEA SDO agents Anthony Vic Alabastro and Jaireh Llaguno and driver Warren Mallo who were nabbed on Tuesday at the PDEA South District Office on A. Bonifacio Street in Barangay Upper Bicutan.
Seized from the suspects were three small transparent sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated weight of more or less100 grams worth P680,000, a big self-sealing plastic containing suspected shabu weighing more or less 1,250 grams and valued at P8.5 million, the buy-bust money, firearms and a digital weighing scale.
The suspects — who are now under the custody of the NCRPO — will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
"We will continue to enforce the law equally and do not cover up or discriminate against anyone involved," Estomo said.
In a separate statement, the Philippine National Police said the PNP leadership and PDEA have agreed to strengthen their collaborative efforts to deal decisive and crippling blows to organized local and international drug syndicates, including going after scalawags in drug law enforcement.
"The PDEA-PNP alliance stands in solid ground and remains committed as ever. All those years built on trust and confidence continue to bear fruit," it added.