PDEA files raps vs shabu thieves

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) filed criminal charges yesterday against four policemen and two security guards tagged in the theft of seven kilos of shabu from the agency’s evidence room last month.

PDEA Director General Dionisio Santiago said charges of theft were filed at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against Superintendent Jerome Mutia, Superintendent Gustavo Torres, Inspector Jofredo Padillo, former PO1 Pedro Avelino and security guards Jean Granada and Oliver Fernandez.

Mutia, former deputy chief of PDEA’s Special Enforcement Service, was also slapped with charges of transportation and delivery of dangerous drugs.

"Mutia was caught in the act of delivering 125 grams of shabu, part of the seven kilos stolen from PDEA headquarters," Gabriel told The STAR.

This is considered a capital offense and being an authority of the law further aggravated the crime, Gabriel said. PDEA spokesman Superintendent Francisco Gabriel said no bail has been recommended.

Under the law, delivery of illegal drugs carries a penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million.

The six were linked to the theft of shabu being kept as evidence at the annex building of PDEA on NIA Northside Road in Barangay Pinyahan in Quezon City last Aug. 21.

"The case is considered closed although we are still trying to determine if there are still others involved in the theft. PDEA will continue the cleansing process and will not condone or tolerate wrongdoing by its personnel," Santiago said in a statement.

Gabriel said the PDEA has strong evidence to pin down the six suspects. Mutia, Avelino, Granada and Fernandez are in police custody. Torres and Padillo are now the subject of a police manhunt.

PDEA deputy chief Rodolfo Caisip said the agency is set to conduct a lifestyle check to determine the status of other officials and employees of PDEA. He added that an inventory of seized drugs is also being conducted.