PDEA official, 2 agents nabbed in Taguig buy-bust op

An official and two agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Upper Bicutan, Taguig City Tuesday night.

According to a report of GMA News’ Unang Balita on Wednesday, the suspects were identified as PDEA Southern District Office chief Enrique Lucero, and agents Anthony Vic Alabastro and Jaireh Llaguno.

Their driver Mark Warren Mallo was also arrested.

SPD chief Police Brigadier General Kirby Kraft said recovered items from the suspects were a kilogram of suspected shabu, four firearms, a digital weighing scale, and the buy-bust money.

According to a police report from Kraft, around P9.18 million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated from the suspects.

The suspects did not give a statement on the matter.

Kraft refused to disclose further information about the operation, which was conducted by the police and PDEA, because a follow-up operation is still ongoing. 

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said they received a tip about “drug recycling” from an informant. They also conducted a test-buy from the suspects twice prior to the buy-bust operation.

“Nung na-interview ko siya, nagulat ako dahil hindi lang basta pusher ang aming target kundi mismong active member ng PDEA. Pinatawag ko ‘yung aking hepe ng regional intelligence na si Colonel Romano Cardiño na dapat nating i-operate ito,” NCRPO Regional Director Police Brigadier General Jonnel Estomo said in John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras.”

“Based doon sa sinabi ng informant, ‘yan daw ay mga huli nila. Kaya nga ang tawag natin dyan ay parang nire-recycle nila ang shabu,” he added.

DOJ 'aware' of arrest

PDEA confirmed the joint operation and said it will be followed by an internal investigation and counter-intelligence among their ranks.

“Tulungan kami dito sa trabaho namin 'to...this campaign against illegal drugs and we agreed na wala ano dito...no sacred cows,” said PDEA director general Moro Virgilio Lazo said.

(We help each other in our job in this campaign against illegal drugs and we agreed that there are no sacred cows here.)

For his part, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said he was aware of the arrest of the PDEA agents.

“I was briefed about it a while ago but let them enter the investigative stage. Don’t worry we’re working on these matters. Kasama ‘yan sa agenda namin sa drug war,” said Remulla. — Joviland Rita and Sundy Losu/RSJ/BM, GMA Integrated News