AN EMPLOYEE of the Provincial Government who was among those arrested in a drug bust over the weekend will face dismissal proceedings.
The statement was issued on Monday, May 6, by Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson relative to reports that the regular employee of the Provincial Accounting Office was caught by police operatives in a drug bust on Saturday, May 4.
The employee was identified as Francisco Nuñal, who was arrested with two other suspects in Purok Balinday, Barangay 2, Bacolod City over the weekend.
Seized from the suspects were suspected shabu worth P150,000, drug paraphernalia and a homemade .45 caliber pistol.
Nuñal was considered a high-value drug target and was one of the subjects of the operations of the Bacolod City Police Office.
“If proven positive with illegal drugs, he will bear the consequences, like dismissal,” Lacson said.
“They know that it is illegal, that is why we should not be soft to them,” he said.
Lacson added that when he sits as governor, he will conduct a “random check” of all Capitol workers.
Venchito Magalona, president of the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees, said they have long suspected that Nuñal was into illegal drugs.
Magalona said that as leaders of the more nearly 3,000 working force of the provincial employees, they are constantly reminding them not to get involved in illegal drugs.
Meanwhile, drugs charges were also filed Monday against the two others who were arrested with Nuñal during the drug bust on Saturday.
Nuñal's companions were identified as Warren Abalos, 42, and Marvic Diola, 25, both residents of Barangay 2.
Police Major Sherlock Gabana, chief of Police Station 7, said violations of Sections 5, 11, and 12 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, were filed against the suspects.
He said violation of Commission on Elections gun ban was also filed against Abalos.
The suspects were detained at the custodial facility of Police Station 7.