CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Operatives of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) have arrested one of their officers with six others on Monday for allegedly being involved in illegal drug activities and other heinous crimes, officials said Tuesday.
In a media briefing, CIDG acting director Chief Superintendent Benjamin Magalong said CIDG Pampanga head Inspector Bienvenido Reydado together with his civilian agents were arrested during simultaneous raids in Barangay Panginay, Balagtas, Bulacan and the CIDG Pampanga provincial office.
Magalong said the operation was conducted after more than two months of surveillance on the "Agaw bato group," which operates by arresting known drug lords.
Once arrested, the group will negotiate with the arrested suspects and will ask them to trade their money and illegal drugs for their freedom.
"Ang ginagawa nila dito ay hinuhuli nila yung mga Chinese drug traffickers, kukunin nila yung drugs, kukunin nila yung pera and at the same time, papakawalan nila. Ine-negotiate nila, papakawalan nila yung mga drug traffickers. Kukunin nila yung mga drugs at ibebenta nila," Magalong said.
CIDG personnel together with the members from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized unregistered five high-powered firearms, 11 pistols, ammunition, P2.6 million cash believed to be earnings from the sale of suspected shabu, five sports utility vehicles and two motorcycles from the said operation.
According to the CIDG acting director, all personnel of the CIDG Pampanga have been relieved from their posts including the CIDG-Central Luzon chief while the investigation is on-going.
"Maari silang makasuhan ng illegal possession of firearms, extortion, illegal detention and illegal possession of illegal drugs, pinagaaralan pa naman ang mga kasong ihahain sa kanila," Magalong said.
Officer Reydado and five of his cohorts was detained in the CIDG office in Camp Crame while Sisracon was in CIDG-Central Luzon office.
Meanwhile, Magalong said they plan to investigate similar incidents involving men in uniform to clean the ranks of the police.