A BAGUIO City Hall employee was arrested by anti-narcotics agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Cordillera regional office and local police in a sting operation in Upper General Luna, Laubach Road.
Randolph Ryan Marrero Estigoy, 39, a ticket checker of the Baguio City Treasury Office, was arrested for selling a heat-sealed sachet containing suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) worth P10,000 to an undercover agent.
Also confiscated from Estigoy was the money used during the transaction.
The suspect is temporarily held at the PDEA-CAR detention facility and will be charged for violating Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
PDEA Cordillera information officer Joseph Calulut said the agency has placed Estigoy under surveillance since the third quarter of last year after they received sketchy reports on his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan expressed dismay over the arrest of Estigoy.
"It is very unfortunate that one of our employees has been apprehended in a buy-bust operation. Due process has to be done and if there is substantial evidence, much as we do not like to do it, he will have to be dismissed from his employment. And the most serious as far as he is concerned is to defend himself in court against the case which will be filed against him," Domogan explained.
Domogan added that the arrest of Estigoy serves as a stern warning to public officials and employees who might be involved in illegal drug activities.