Ex-officer nabbed with illegal drugs, guns

A dismissed policeman, suspected of being a member of a syndicate behind the proliferation of illegal drugs in Mandaluyong City, was arrested last Monday by elements of the city police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.

Ex-PO1 Ladgeme Pelos, 34, a resident of Barangay Gregoria de Jesus, General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite, yielded two sachets of shabu, a baby Armalite rifle, a caliber .45 automatic pistol and P80,000 in drug money.

Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol presented Pelos yesterday at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) satellite office in Kamuning, Quezon City.

"I am warning our strayed policemen to reform or else they will suffer the fate of Pelos," Querol said.

Chief Superintendent Oscar Valenzuela, director of the Eastern Police District (EPD), earlier ordered the Mandaluyong City police to conduct an following reports that Pelos was engaged in criminal activities, including drug peddling.

A SWAT team, led by Inspector Ryan Devaras, rushed to Halfwayville, Block 36, Welfareville compound in Barangay Addition Hills at around 7 p.m. last Monday following a tip from an informer that an armed Pelos was sighted in the area.

Pelos was clutching a baby Armalite while on board his maroon Nissan Cefiro (DKG 678) when accosted by the SWAT team. He did not resist arrest.

Police said two motorcycle-riding men acting as Pelos’ escorts sped off at the sight of the approaching SWAT operatives.

A search by SPO3 Jaime Masilag resulted in the discovery of the drug money and two sachets containing a least 10 grams of shabu inside the glove compartment.

When confronted by Mandaluyong City police chief Superintendent Ericson Velasquez, Pelos said the money had been loaned by his wife to pay for his monthly obligation for the car he was driving. He said the shabu was for his personal use.

Velasquez said Pelos failed to show supporting papers for the two firearms.

He was formerly assigned at the Mandaluyong City police intelligence division.

Velasquez said he had filed car theft, robbery-extortion and serious illegal detention charges against Pelos in August 2004 on a complaint that he forcibly took P50,000 from a local resident.

Valenzuela said Pelos had been listed as absent without leave (AWOL) since last January. He ordered Velasquez to investigate Pelos and his cohorts.

Velasquez is readying illegal possession of firearms and illegal drugs charges against Pelos, who is now detained at the Mandaluyong City detention center.