Army says officer in drug raps discharged

The Philippine Army yesterday clarified that the Army officer arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation for alleged drug trafficking was not absent without official leave (AWOL) but was dishonorably discharged in 1995.

In a letter, Army spokesman Lt. Col. Michael Manquiquis said their records showed that Abdul Cadingilan, 42, a native of Pagadian City, and a former company commander of the First Infantry Division in Zamboanga del Sur, was separated from the military on March 24, 1995 for violation of Article of War 97 (conduct that would bring discredit to the military service).

Cadingilan and two others, identified as Samsurin Dolonan, 24, both of the Islamic Center in Manila; and Asrap Buwao, of Commonwealth, Quezon City, were nabbed at the parking lot of the SM North Edsa last Monday after allegedly handing over to undercover agents 300 grams of shabu worth at least P300,000.

According to the NBI-Narcotics Division, prior to the buy-bust, they had received intelligence information about Cadingilan’s alleged drug trafficking. – Mike Frialde