Cop nabbed in Parañaque drug buy-bust

Parañaque City police arrested a drug suspect who was a police corporal assigned to the National Police Training Institute, Marisol Abdurahman reported Monday on 24 Oras.

Previously arrested drug personalities led investigators to suspect Police Corporal McNeil Bagunu.

Anti-narcotics policemen also seized 20 grams of shabu worth P136,000, a .45 caliber gun, a gun's magazine, and ammunition during the buy-bust operation.

National Capital Region Police Office Director Major General Melencio Nartatez said Bagunu had been previously implicated in illegal-drug activities.

"Nag crop up yung pangalan nya, then lumutang sya merong inabogaduhan, may kinakausap na mga pulis," elaborated Nartatez.

The NCRPO Director added that Bagunu was also undergoing proceedings for going AWOL.

"Meron nang decision ang isang hearing summary officer na recommendation for him to be dismissed," said Nartatez. "So pinaghahanap na sya at hindi nga mahanap hanap."

Meanwhile, the police said that Bagunu had tested positive for drugs.

However, Bagunu denied the allegations made against him and said that the police had it in for him because he had reported incidents of corruption.

"Walang buy-bust nangyari," Bagnunu told GMA Integrated News.

As for testing positive for drugs, he responded, "Madali lang naman gawin yan... pinainom ka lang ng tubig pwede ka mag-positive."

Complaints for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Illegal Possession of Firearms were filed against Bagunu.

Bagnunu was one among several hundred police officers who faced complaints.

According to the NCRPO, some 500 Metro Manila police officers had been dismissed from the service sing July 2023.

Around 800 cops had been found guilty of violations, though not all these offenses warranted dismissal from the service.

"Ito yung one rank demotion, up to forfeiture of pay," explained Nartatez. — DVM, GMA Integrated News