Probe on police officer in Cebu linked to drugs, mansion starts

CEBU, Philippines – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Administration and the National Bureau of Investigation yesterday started verifying reports of a police officer in Cebu who is allegedly involved in dealing drugs and who owns a mansion in Maguindanao.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front earlier alleged that the mansion in Maguindanao is among those seized by the military, which was earlier identified as being owned by MILF commander Ameril Umbra Kato.

But in a statement posted in the website www.luwaran.com, Khaled Musa, Deputy Chairman of the MILF Committee on Information belied this claim by the military.

“Kato never owned or occupied the mansion but a Cebuano policeman who turned drug dealer and now a multi-millionaire reportedly owned it,” Musa said.

Dangerous Drugs Board Undersecretary Clarence Paul Oaminal said results of verifications are expected to be available in a month.

At the Regional Police Office, PRO-7 Director Federico Terte said the entire police force of Central Visayas is willing to undergo a lifestyle check if only to get exonerated from the allegations. — Johanna T. Natavio/JMO (THE FREEMAN)