ILIGAN CITY -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) vows not to tolerate any soldiers who will be found engaging in illegal drugs.
WestMin Commander Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez said this statement, following the apprehension of a soldier by the operatives of Pagadian City Police Station (CPS) and Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit during a drug bust, early dawn of Jan. 22.
The arrested soldier was identified as Corporal Lehamber Acosta, a member of the 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army, assigned to the 1st Signal Battalion Army Signal Regiment.
Acosta was inside a hotel room in Barangay Tuburan, Pagadian City with an unnamed female companion when operatives pounced on him and seized illegal drugs and paraphernalia from his possession, including a heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white substance suspected to be “shabu,” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) aluminum foils and marked money.
“We are saddened that despite our constant reminders, there are still soldiers who are into illegal drugs,” said Major General Roseller Murillo, commander of the 1st Infantry Division and the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan.
“We will be more aggressive in finding out scalawags among our ranks and we will definitely be hard on them,” Murillo added.
The suspect is now temporarily detained at Pagadian CPS, while a case for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act was being prepared for filing in court against the suspect.
“We strongly support and adhere to the policy and campaign of the current administration against the proliferation of illegal drug trade in the country,” Galvez said.
He added that the WestMinCom takes steps to replicate the campaign to ensure that drug trade and drug addiction will not be tolerated among their ranks.
Any drug cases involving their personnel will be dealt with in accordance with the law according to Galvez.
“If proven guilty, said personnel will be immediately charged and will be separated from the service,” Galvez said.
“As the highest military commander, it will be one of my priorities. Let this be a strong reminder to everyone,” he added.