MANILA, Philippines – A police officer who had gone absent without official leave (AWOL) was arrested after he was caught selling illegal drugs in Muntinlupa City, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Friday.
The NCRPO identified the suspect as Patrolman Victor Bustamante, who was nabbed in a buy-bust operation conducted on Thursday afternoon.
Recovered from the suspect during the operation includes five grams of suspected shabu, two empty magazines of Glock 9mm pistol, a PNP identification card, and the marked money.
Police said the suspect was formerly assigned to Las Piñas police station but was placed on AWOL status since February this year after being in the police service for eight years.
He was later monitored to be involved in the narcotics trade and was reported to have been conducting “Oplan Sita” in the area even when he is no longer on active duty.
Bustamante allegedly threatens drug peddlers and take from them their money and packet drugs, prompting the authorities to launch the operation.
“Base doon sa impormasyon na ni-relay sa atin eh nagsasagawa siya ng sariling operation. Nag-uuniporme pa at doon sa area nila, nagko-conduct ng tinatawag nating Oplan Sita,” NCRPO director Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar said.
The suspect will be facing charges for violation of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. RRD (with details from Correspondent Asher Cadapan Jr.)
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