DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – The chiefs of the Dumaguete City Police and the Provincial Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG) were relieved from their respective posts following an altercation that led to the escape of a suspected drug pusher.
Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO) director Sr. Supt. Edward Carranza on Saturday disclosed that he has ordered the relief of Supt. Crisaleo Tolentino, police chief of Dumaguete, and Insp. Janelito Marquez, head of PAIDSOTG, effective Friday following a confrontation between personnel of the two police units on Thursday.
On Thursday morning, a PAIDSOTG team led by Marquez conducted an anti-illegal drugs buy-bust operation in Barangay Looc, this city, during which a suspect identified as a certain Ryan Antipuesto was arrested.
The buy-bust operation yielded a plastic sachet containing suspected shabu and marked money from the suspect, who was brought to the Dumaguete Police Station for inventory and booking purposes.
Upon arrival inside the police station, however, Tolentino allegedly intervened and prevented the arrest of Antipuesto, saying the latter was City Police’s asset.
Carranza said that an altercation ensued when Tolentino allegedly ordered PAIDSOTG personnel to drop to the ground and that they will be arrested for planting of evidence against Antipuesto.
Tolentino and some city policemen allegedly aimed their M-16 rifles at the PAIDSOTG men and, it was during this time that Antipuesto, the suspected drug pusher, managed to leave the police station.
Marquez had reported the incident to Carranza, who in turn ordered the chief of the PNP’s Provincial Investigation Branch to conduct an in-depth investigation to determine administrative lapses and violations of Police Operational Procedures.
Both Tolentino and Marquez were assigned to the NOrPPO pending the result of the investigation.