Cop jailed at own station for using drugs

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman landed in jail at his own police station after he was caught in the act of sniffing shabu at a drug den in Barangay Bitoon, Dumanjug last Tuesday dawn.

No less than his teammates who were conducting the operation arrested PO1 Ronald Sacan, 31.  Sacan, a member of the alert team of the Dumanjug police, was also found with drug paraphernalia.

Police Officer 2 Romeo Legaspi Jr. said they have since been suspicious of and complaining against Sacan because he would reportedly just report for work for a few hours. In fact, Legaspi said their acting chief, Senior Inspector Jose Villarin, would always reprimand Sacan.

Still, Legaspi said that while Sacan was irresponsible in his duties and responsibilities, they ne-ver suspected him to be in drugs.

Last Tuesday, as usual, Sacanreportedly reported for work at the police station then left after several hours. Unknown to his teammates, they would find him at the drug den that they targeted to arrest the ope-rator, David Quirante, 22.

The team arrested Quirante who was caught with 21 small packs of suspected shabu and a one .357 magnum revolver with four live rounds of ammunition.

Quirante’s cohort, Ranilo Asentista, was also apprehended after he was caught with 11 small packs of suspected shabu and a hand grenade.

There at the den, the team was surprised to see Sacan among the three people inside the drug den. With Sacan were Shery Kay Dupal-ag, 26, and Andew Nemil, 28, both from Dumanjug.

Sacan was in civilian clothes but had his service firearm with him.

Villarin said he will not tolerate policemen who misbehave. He said that prior to Sacan’s arrest, reports have reached him about some of his men allegedly being involved in illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, the director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac, said criminal and administrative charges should be filed against policemen who are found to be misbehaving.

Gillamac said if Sacan can post bail, he will be assigned at the CPPO holding unit to face investigation.

The Dumanjug Police has already filed criminal complaints against Sacan and the four others arrested before the Office of the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor.

Sacan, Dupal-ag and Nemil are facing charges for violation of Section 7 of Article 2 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 for visiting a drug den.

If proven positive of using drugs after the confirmatory test, Sacan, Dupal-ag and Nemil may also face a separate charge under Section 15 of RA 9165.

Quirante, meanwhile, is facing charges for violation of Sections 5, 6, and 11 of RA 9165 and for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Asentista is also facing charges for possession of illegal drugs and possession of grenade.

The five respondents chose to file a counter-affidavit at the prosecutor’s level to refute the charges. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento and Ma. Fatima R. Secuya/JMO (FREEMAN)