SRU cop not pusher, just user

CEBU, Philippines - The member of the Special Reaction Unit accused of supplying drugs to police trainees in the PNP Regional Training School as well as those living nearby was a drug user and not a pusher.

This was the clarification made by Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador.

Earlier, a barangay tanod and a member of the Lupong Tagapamayapa of Barangay Gaas who admitted to using illegal drugs, pointed to the SRU operative as the one who supplied them the shabu and even offered them to use it with him.

But  Comendador clarified that the SRU member who was assigned at an outpost in Barangay Gaas, Balamban, was only a drug user based on the questioning made by the barangay council.

Comendador said four police trainees reportedly gave money to the SRU operative and asked him to buy shabu.

The illegal drugs reportedly came from Cebu City.

The trainees and the SRU operative were among those caught using shabu near the fence of the training school.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 director Marcelo Garbo Jr. has ordered the investigation on the SRU personnel.

Dismissal from service could be the maximum penalty given to the operative if he will be proven guilty of the allegations.

The SRU personnel has been transferred to the CPPO headquarters pending results of the investigation.

Comendador also said they have not confirmed reports that another police officer of the RTS is involved in the illegal drug trade.

“Dunay gisulti before nga usa taga-RTS but during interview, wala man ma-confirm,” Comendador said in a text message.

But he said they will conduct an administrative investigation if there are witnesses who will execute an affidavit. — (FREEMAN)