Cop nabbed in Antipolo for alleged drug trafficking, gunrunning

MANILA, Philippines - Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Southern Tagalog and operatives of the Rizal Provincial Police Office on Friday arrested a police officer in Antipolo City for alleged drug trafficking and gunrunning.

CIDG director, Chief Superintendent Victor Deona, identified the arrested as Police Office 3 Alex Alata Jr., of the Cainta Municipal Police Station. Another suspect, Police Officer 3 Michael Adongay of the Antipolo City Police, managed to escape arrest and is now being hunted.

According to the CIDG, Alata, who had been absent from duty since September 23, was arrested during the raid at his house in Sitio Manalite, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Antipolo City.

Adongay meanwhile eluded arrest when police raided his house at Tambis Street, Bagong Nayon II, Barangay Dela Paz, Antipolo City.

Deona said prior to the raids, the CIDG received a tip through the “I-Report Mo Kay Tsip” project.

The “I-Report Mo Kay Tsip” project was launched by Philippine National Police chief, Director General Ricardo Marquez to encourage citizens into reporting erring policemen through a dedicated text messaging hotline.

Seized by the CIDG from Alata were nine plastic sachets of shabu weighing almost four grams, his service pistol and assorted ammunition.

The search in Adongay’s house meanwhile yielded nine plastic sachets of shabu, a .22 caliber rifle, a hand grenade and assorted ammunition.

The CIDG agents during the raids were armed with search warrants issued by Sta. Cruz, Laguna Regional Trial Court and Executive Judge Cynthia Ricablanca.

Deona said the CIDG would be continuing with its counter-intelligence operations to rid the police ranks of scalawags.