4 Cavite cops ordered axed for drugs

MANILA, Philippines - Four members of the Bacoor City police in Cavite will undergo summary dismissal proceedings for their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade, an official said yesterday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina said he ordered on Thursday the filing of administrative and criminal charges against Police Officer 3 Paul Barriosa Santoeli, PO3 Jay Ilagan, PO1 Joeyluz Guiruela Pulusan and PO1 Roger Uy Reble.

The four officers were arrested on Wednesday after allegedly selling shabu to an undercover agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA.)

Espina ordered Chief Superintendent Jesus Gatchalian, chief of the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) police, to look for other officers who may be involved in illegal drug activities.       

“See to it that they do not go out of jail,” Espina told Garchitorena.

The four police officers are undergoing pre-charge investigation.

Senior Superintendent Jonel Estomo, Cavite provincial director, said they coordinated with the PDEA after receiving information that the four officers were involved in illegal drug activities.

The officers, who reportedly yielded 50 grams of shabu, were charged with violating the Dangerous Drugs Act before the Cavite prosecutor’s office on Thursday. – With Arnell Ozaeta