Cop, drug suspect nabbed in buy-bust

A rookie policeman assigned with the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) was apprehended along with a suspected drug pusher during a buy-bust operation last Tuesday evening in Makati City.

Police Officer 2 Rodrigo Igno, case investigator at the Makati City police Drug Enforcement Unit, identified the two suspects as PO1 Ramil Miranda, 31, assigned at the Counter Intelligence Unit-Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division (CIU-RIID) of the NCRPO, and Reynaldo Guieb, 37, both of Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati City.

Igno said the two face charges of violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. Igno would likely face charges of violating of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban.

Initial investigation showed the Makati police DEU received a tip that Guieb had been engaging in the illegal drug trade. Police tapped a civilian member of the Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC) to act as their poseur-buyer in a buy-bust operation.

At around 11:30 p.m. last Tuesday, the poseur-buyer met Guieb at the corner of Pasay Road and Washington street in Barangay Pio del Pilar.

Igno said the Makati policemen noticed that Guieb had a companion, who was later identified as Miranda.

"Miranda was present during the negotiations and the actual exchange of money and drugs. When the buyer gave the hand signal to the five arresting officers, and saw them advancing toward them, he allegedly told Guieb to flee but they were still caught," he said.

Police said Miranda introduced himself as an officer and showed the arresting team his police identification card.

"But he failed to produce a mission order that could have proven that he was there in an undercover operation. He was carrying a 9mm Beretta pistol, but he had no exemption from the Comelec gun ban," he added. – Evelyn Macairan