Digal: Cop 'escorting' girlfriend in drugs trade

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial Police Director Erson Digal disclosed that one of his men who were caught sniffing shabu recently has, in fact, jeopardized their illegal drug operations several times before.

Digal said SPO2 Roberto Canencia of the Minglanilla Police has long been escorting his girlfriend Marites Dalumpines, the subject of the buy-bust operation, in her alleged illegal drug transactions.

Digal accompanied the raiding team during the operation in Danao City last Friday and could not help but react when he came face-to-face with the suspect.

“Akong giingnan nga ‘nadakpan na jud ka!” the police official said.

Digal disclosed further that Canencia had requested to be reassigned to the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (Paidsotg) when he was still the officer-in-charge of the Danao City Police. Digal, however, denied the request. 

Digal said they already had prior knowledge that Canencia had been escorting Dalumpines at the bus terminal where she has been selling shabu.

On June 25, 2009, Canencia successfully entered Paidsotg, Digal said.

Digal said they had long been trying to arrest Dalumpines but the operations always turned out negative because Canencia, being in Paidsotg, has been tipping Dalumpines of the moves.

The woman was finally arrested late last Friday afternoon at her residence in Genhen Compound, Barangay Tuburan, Danao City for selling suspected shabu to police authorities. Her cohort, Jeshwani Tabla and Canencia, who were both inside her house, were also arrested.

Dalumpines has been in the police watch list as a level two drug pusher. A pusher is classified under level two if he/she is disposing of 300 to 500 kilos of prohibited substance every week.

Digal said he has already directed Chief Insp. Laurel Almirante, head of Minglanilla Police, to relieve Canencia who is currently detained temporarily at the Police Regional Office-7 detention cell.

Sr. Insp. Reuben Cuizon, head of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch (PIDMB), was also tasked to investigate the suspect for an administrative case.

Aside from the administrative complaints, Canencia will face charges of illegal possession of firearms after an unlicensed KG9 pistol was seized from him.

The other member of the Minglanilla Police accused of punching a former motorcycle-for-hire driver in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City on the same day will have to explain the incident.

Digal said he directed SPO1 Florante Capangpangan to report to CPPO tomorrow to explain to PIDMB what really happened.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office-7 conducted a random drug test on its officials and personnel yesterday.

PNP Crime Laboratory-7 personnel headed by forensic doctor Jude Daniel Mendoza conducted the test to nine officials. No less than PRO-7 Director Ager Ontog led 97 non-commissioned officers in the test.

Mendoza, who withheld information as to those who possibly tested positive, said the results will be submitted to Camp Crame for confirmatory test.

Ontog said the test, which is conducted quarterly, was done following the controversies involving policemen involved in illegal drugs operations.(FREEMAN NEWS)