2 cops, 1 ex-cop nabbed for P3-million cocaine

MANILA, Philippines - Two policemen and a retired policeman were arrested Saturday by the Las Pinas City police during a drug bust for allegedly selling more than half a kilo of cocaine with a street value P3 million.

National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Roberto Rosales commended Superintendent Noel Mecay, officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Las Pinas City police, for the arrest of SPO2 Roger Sanguila, PO1 Michael Castroverde and retired SPO4 Oligario Perlado.

Rosales said Sangula and Castroverde claimed they were assigned in Camp Crame while Perlado, who retired last year, is a resident of Las Pinas City.

Rosales ordered Chief Superintendent Mike Laurel, the chief directorial staff of the NCRPO, to institute summary dismissal proceedings against Sanguila and Castroverde.

“I will immediately recommend their dismissal from the police service once it was established that they are guilty of peddling illegal drugs,” said Rosales, referring to Sanguila and Castroverde, who are currently detained at the Las Pinas City detention center.

Mecay dispatched his men near the BF subdivision at about 8 p.m. Saturday after elements of the station’s anti-illegal drugs special operations task force arranged the deal for the purchase of cocaine.

The three suspects were arrested after handing over more than half a kilo of cocaine to an undercover police officer in exchange for P3 million marked money, said Mecay.

He said the three suspects did not resist arrest, adding that Sanguila and Castroverde were in civilian clothes and unarmed.

The Las Pinas City police also confiscated Perlado’s blue Nissan Sentra (ZGB- 440), which the suspects used during the drug bust.

The three suspects did not reveal their source of the cocaine, but Mecay said “they are presently undergoing tactical interrogation.”

Mecay said they are preparing appropriate charges against the three suspects before the Las Piñas City prosecutor’s office.