PDEA denies Cogie Domingo’s claim that he was set up

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) insisted Tuesday that the anti-illegal drug operation they conducted against actor Cogie Domingo was not a set-up.

“Karapatan nila magsabi ng ganun in defense of themselves but then again we uphold the regularity of that operation... Hayaan nating gumulong ‘yung kaso because they are already submitted for inquest,” PDEA spokesperson Derrick Carreon said in an interview with GMA News TV’s News To Go.

He said prior to the buy-bust operation, they had already received several information indicating illegal drug activities allegedly involving Domingo and even his source, Almira Bautista, who was also nabbed by their operatives.

He added their undercover agent witnessed the transaction between Domingo, another arrested suspect Francisco Lim, and Bautista.

“There was an undercover agent who actually witnessed ‘yung transaction involving ‘yung source is Almira Bautista and ‘yung kasama niyang si Francis Lim, and then si Mr. Domingo ang unang nabentahan bago nabentahan yung undercover agent namin,” he said.

He said they recovered from Domingo’s vehicle drug paraphernalia.

“In addition to that inupuan ng K-9, yung narcotic detector dog, yung sasakyan,” he said.

Carreon said Domingo refused to undergo a drug test while the other two tested positive for illegal drugs.

He said Domingo’s refusal will not have any effect on the charges they filed.

“Ang kaso naman niya ay possession of dangerous drugs and possession of paraphernalia,” he said.

Domingo claimed that the operation against him was a set up as he denied involvement in illegal drug activities. 

“I believe na set up lang ako.  Wala akong alam tungkol dun sa drugs. I’m not on drugs,” Domingo said during a press conference at the PDEA Calabarzon headquarters.

He said they were just eating dinner when the operation happened.

“Kumakain lang kami ng dinner tapos nagkaroon ng mga pulis at hulihan. Nagulat lang kami sa nangyari. Kumakain lang kami, hindi ko alam yung evidence laban sa akin,” he said.

In its report, PDEA said its Intelligence Section and Laguna Provincial Office conducted a series of validation and investigation on the drug activity of Domingo and found out that he frequented Las Piñas City and Parañaque City to buy drugs.

On October 27, at around 12:30 a.m., the PDEA conducted the operation along President’s Ave., BF Homes, Parañaque City, which resulted in the arrest of the three.

Recovered from the suspect were plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance suspected believed to be shabu and a color black hard plastic case containing assorted drug paraphernalia. — MDM, GMA News