Cop probed on in-law's arrest

CEBU, Philippines -  A policeman is now the subject of an inquiry after his father-in-law, a former member of the Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN), was arrested Sunday for involvement in illegal drugs.

Provincial Police Director Patrocinio Comendador wants to know whether the cop simply condoned his father-in-law’s actions or did something about it. Comendador ordered Senior Insp. Ceferino Tabay, chief of the Bogo City Police, to open an inquiry.

“Kung gibadlong niya at least duna siya’y gihimo but if ni-tolerate siya labi na if dunay involvement sayop nana,” Comendador said.

He said that should the inquiry find certain lapses, he will direct the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch to conduct a formal investigation against the policeman.

The Freeman is withholding the policeman’s name pending findings of the inquiry.

In a phone interview, the policeman said his father-in-law, Carlito Bondesto Jr., reportedly shunned off his advices and continued with his illegal business.

“Dili man ko ganahan mutagad ana niya ug muadto na’s balay. Magpangutana man gani na kung naa ba ko,” he said.

He said he will just wait for the result of the inquiry.

Bondesto was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch in Barangay Bungtod, Bogo City on Saturday afternoon.

Confiscated from him were six small packets, a medium and a large pack of shabu worth P40,000, a P500 bill and an expired BIN identification card.

PO3 Reynaldo Solante, leader of the arresting team, told The FREEMAN that complaints on Bondesto’s alleged illegal drug activities reached their office prompting them to conduct surveillance operations that turned out to be positive.

Police tagged Bondesto as a level two drug pusher. He is the father of Barangay Bungtod councilwoman Jocelyn de la Cruz whose husband is a policeman assigned at the Bogo Police Station.

Charges for violating Section 5 of RA 9165 was already filed at the Regional Trial Court in Bogo City. – (FREEMAN)