PDEA
warns public against bogus agents
BUTUAN
CITY, Feb. 28 – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is warning the
public against unscrupulous individuals who introduced themselves as PDEA
agents and commit criminal activities.
PDEA
Director General Aaron N. Aquino reiterated the warning in light of the recent
arrest of a suspect posing as a PDEA agent and his female companion during a
shootout in ParaΓ±aque City.
Investigation
disclosed that Jhay-R Repana y Linggo, 31 years old, alleged PDEA agent, a
resident of Masville Compound, Barangay BF Homes, ParaΓ±aque City; and Rosemimi
Facal y Fayo, 30, of Lizardo Compound, Bayanan, Taguig City, were involved in a
shooting incident along Dr. A. Santos Avenue, Gate 2 of Loyola Memorial Park,
Barangay BF Homes, ParaΓ±aque City on February 24, 2018.
According
to a witness, the pair, who were onboard a Mitsubishi Lancer with plate number
XHU-835, figured in a shootout with another vehicle that wounded Repana’s left
leg.
During
a follow-up operation, elements of ParaΓ±aque City Police Station discovered
Repana and Facal’s vehicle parked near the Sta. Rosa Hospital, Laguna that led
to their arrest.
When
inspected by the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) Team of Police Regional
Office 4A (PRO-4A), the vehicle yielded one caliber 38 revolver with pieces of
ammunition, and one plastic sachet containing suspected methamphetamine
hydrochloride, or shabu, one improvised tooter and lighter.
Repana
identified himself as a PDEA operative displaying his identification card to
the arresting authorities.
Repana
and Facal will be facing charges for violation of Section 11 (Possession of
Dangerous Drugs) and Section 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia), Article II
of Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Additional charges for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition,
usurpation of authority, alarm and scandal, will also be filed in court against
them.
“It
comes as no surprise that there are people who misrepresent themselves as PDEA
agents or as members of other law enforcement units to perform their illegal
activities,” Aquino said.
“Our
agents have undergone rigorous training for months, imbibing in them the core
values of the PDEA organization. We will not tolerate unscrupulous people who
pretend to be our agents and tarnish the Agency’s integrity just like that,” he
added.
Last
February 4, 2018, persons wearing PDEA uniforms while tagging along alleged
arrested drug personalities and rode aboard two vehicles was captured on
closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in Barangay Ususan, Taguig City.
However,
the same group managed to elude arrest after engaging the authorities in hot
pursuit in the same barangay two weeks later.
The
PDEA advices the public to immediately report any individuals introducing
themselves as PDEA Agents while committing a criminal act. To send reports to
PDEA 24/7 Text Hotlines, simply follow the directions: Text name of
perpetrator/poser and complete information and send to 0999-888 PDEA (7332) for
Smart subscribers; 0925-573 PDEA (7332) for Sun; and 0927-9150616 for Globe.
(PDEA/PIA-Caraga)
