A POLICE officer was arrested for violating Republic Act 9516 or the illegal possession of explosives after components in making explosives were recovered from him during an entrapment operation conducted by the Special Task Force of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao regional director Police Chief Superintendent Marcelo Morales identified the police officer as PO2 Glenn Magalso, 31, assigned at the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), Davao del Norte Police provincial office (DNPPO).
He was arrested by the joint efforts of NBI-STF led by lawyer John Caquait and DNPPO led by provincial director Police Senior Superintendent Ferlu Silvio on Friday, November 23, in Tagum City.
Morales said that according to Silvio, Magalso was allegedly asking for money amounting to P270,000 for the sale of various components of explosives including 15 sacks of ammonium nitrate; 500 blasting caps; one box detonating cord; and 96 meters additional detonating cord.
Magalso and the poseur buyer met at the National Highway, Barangay Magdum in Tagum City. He was arrested after the exchange of money.
Magalso is scheduled to be transferred to NBI main office in Metro Manila for proper disposition. Authorities are also looking at the possibility that the recovered items have connection with the New People’s Army (NPA) considering that the same components were used by the NPAs in making improvised explosives device in Southeastern Mindanao.
"Police Regional Office 11 does not condone wrongdoings of rogue police personnel. Appropriate criminal and administrative charges will be filed against PO2 Magalso," Morales said.
Based from the data of PRO-Davao Discipline Law and Order Section, from January 1 to November 21, 2018, there were a total of 250 cases filed against erring police personnel wherein 156 of which were already resolved and the remaining 94 cases are still subject for resolution.