THE 10th Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) said the soldier, who was arrested by policemen on Thursday, July 11, for alleged involvement in illegal drugs is no longer active in the service since March last year.
Based on the police report, during the buy-bust operation conducted by personnel of Talomo Police Station at around 10:35 p.m., July 11, they arrested a suspect identified as PA Staff Sargeant Paolo Pingkian Plasabas alias “Bogart”, 47, a member of Philippine Army, and a resident of Block 27, Lot 15, DDF Subdivision, Mandug, Davao City for violation of RA 9165.
“The suspect, Paolo Plasabas is not an active member of the Philippine Army anymore. He was dishonorably discharged for committing AWOL (absent without leave) March 2018. He is not, in any way, connected to 10ID. As to his recent case, let the apprehending law enforcement agencies do the process of investigation,” 10th ID Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) chief Captain Jerry Lamosao said, adding that Plasabas was not a staff sergeant but rather a former private lieutenant.
He underscored that the 10th ID will not tolerate illegal acts committed by the soldiers and will respect human rights.
Recovered from Plasabas’ possession were three sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu; one P500 bill and three pieces P1,000 bill (buy-bust money); one piece self-sealing transparent sachet containing suspected dried marijuana leaves with fruiting tops; one unit Nokia cellphone keypad with SIM card and several IDs placed inside a black belt bag.
The arrested soldier is currently under the protective police custody of Talomo PS for proper disposition.
Meanwhile, Police Regional Office (PRO 11) Regional Director Marcelo Morales commended the troops for the successful operation and is expecting more accomplishment in the coming days due to more intensified anti-narcotic operation.
“As long as there are crimes and illegal drugs in our region, we will not stop conducting series of operations until we achieve our vision of a drug and crime-free community,” Morales said.