QCPD says cop in drug case dropped from roster

MANILA, Philippines - The policeman who was caught in a pot session in Mandaluyong City is no longer in active service, a Quezon City Police District official clarified yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Neri Ilagan, chief of the QCPD-District Mobile Group (DMG), said Senior Police Officer 2 Reymundo de Leon has been absent without official leave (AWOL) since last August.

“He (De Leon) is no longer in active service. In fact he has been dropped from our rolls,” Ilagan said in an interview. “Despite this, he has apparently been using his uniform in continuously introducing himself as an active member of the PNP (Philippine National Police),” Ilagan said.

He issued the clarification in reaction to earlier reports identifying De Leon as a member of the QCPD-DMG.

De Leon, 44, was arrested for allegedly participating in a pot session in Mandaluyong City Saturday.

“When I assumed my post as head of the DMG, I immediately ordered a check of these personnel who has been AWOL,” Ilagan said.

He said De Leon used to be with the QCPD-DMG’s Civil Disturbance Management section. According to Ilagan, his office had sent two notices to De Leon to report to work but they had been unheeded.

“Apparently he has been using fictitious addresses,” Ilagan said.

There were reports that De Leon has a house in Taguig City. However, there are accounts that he also resides in Mandaluyong City, according to the QCPD’s Public Information Office. – Reinir Padua