PDEA agents charged for "robbing" drug suspect

CEBU, Philippines - An agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and his two other unidentified cohorts were charged with robbery before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas for allegedly robbing a suspected drug peddler of his bag containing assorted watches.

National Bureau of Investigation regional director Medardo De Lemos filed the complaint for robbery in violation of the Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code and violation of the Republic Act 6713 otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees against Fire Officer 3 Rayford Yap and two other unidentified confidential agents of the PDEA.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by Johnny Tambilani of Lopez Jaena St. against Yap and his alleged cohorts. Tambilani said that on February 11, 2009, at around 9:30 p.m., while he was at the vicinity of Fuente Osmeña, Yap and his group conducted an anti-drug operation.

According to the investigation conducted by the NBI, Yap and his group received information about Tambilani’s alleged illegal activities. The group, upon the authority granted by PDEA regional director Randy Pedroso, conducted a buy bust operation against Tambilani.

However, instead of shabu, Tambilani and his companion Jaime Del Mar was caught selling a pack of Viagra, a sex enhancer drug, to PDEA agents. The two were apprehended and brought by Yap to the PDEA office.

On their way to the PDEA headquarters, Yap allegedly ordered one of his unidentified companions to take Tambilani’s bag which contained assorted watches.

PDEA filed a case against Tambilani but was dismissed by the city prosecutor’s office. Despite the dismissal of the case, Yap allegedly refused to return his bag and the six pieces of Rolex automatic watches, eight Rolex quarts and P5,500 cash.

Yap appeared before the NBI and promised to return the watches including the money but he allegedly failed to fulfill it until now. —Fred P. Languido/WAB (THE FREEMAN)