AN ACTIVE police officer in Davao City, who has been under surveillance for allegedly supplying illegal drugs, was arrested in a buy-bust Friday, January 24, 2020, in Tigatto, Buhangin, Davao City.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao regional director Police Brigadier General Filmore Escobal identified the officer as Police Senior Master Sergeant Shiela Laturgo Bande, 43, married, assigned at the Philippine Bomb Information Center and resides at Block 5, Lot 1, Luis Street, Victory Valley in Tigatto.

"Ang pagkahuli kay PSMS Bande ay nagpapakita lamang na intensibo ang aming enforcement against illegal drugs at internal cleansing sa mga 'anay' sa aming hanay," Escobal said.

According to the PNP operatives, Bande was identified by a drug suspect who was previously arrested as one of their suppliers. After learning the information, Bande has been placed under surveillance long before the conducted buy-bust.

“Her assignment with the Directorate of Intelligence made her a hard target for the said operation,” PRO-Davao said.

Based on the report of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the suspect was nabbed through an entrapment operation after she sold suspected shabu to a police officer who posed as a buyer.

Confiscated from her possession were one piece rectangular-shaped transparent sachet containing suspected shabu;two pieces square-shaped transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu; and a 1,000 peso bill.

Escobal said the apprehension of Bande will serve as a warning to other policemen who are into illegal drugs as the PRO-Davao is intensifying its internal cleansing against police scalawags.