AN OFFICIAL of the Misamis Oriental Provincial Police Office (MisOr-PPO) on Monday, August 28, said the Cagayan de Oro City policeman arrested in recent drug bust had been supplying illegal drugs in Tagoloan town.
Senior Inspector Corrine Mae Estigoy, MisOr-PPO spokesperson, said Police Officer Arnold Almanzor had been tagged as the drug source in the area based on the accounts of drug personalities previously arrested by the Tagoloan police and the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit.
"Everytime naay accomplishment sa illegal drug operations, ang gitudlo sa mga nadakpan nga ilang source mao si Almanzor mao nga gimonitor siya ug nakahigayon gyud nga napalitan siya," Estigoy said.
But, the police declined to reveal further the details of the suspect’s illicit drug activity so as not to compromise future operations that will lead to the arrest of more drug dealers linked to Almanzor.
Estigoy, however, said Almanzor has been cooperating in the police investigation.
Police nabbed Almanzor on Wednesday, August 23, along with his common-law wife Grace Salvador.
Authorities pointed to Salvador as the one who first handed the illegal substance seized in the operation.
"Ang live-in partner maoy nagtunol sa sachet sa shabu kang Almanzor ug si Almanzor dayon ang naghatag sa poseur buyer," Estigoy said.
The “narco-cop” later surrendered his 9mm pistol.
The two suspects have been charged with selling of illegal drugs and additional illegal possession of firearm against Almanzor.
Estigoy said the suspects will likely be transferred to the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail on Tuesday, August 29.
Jail warden Dominador Tagarda said Almanzor will join the regular detainees in the prison cell and will never receive special treatment.
"Isagol nato na siya sa mga regular nga mga bilanggo diri kay naa man pud diri uban nga mga police ug mga sundalo nga piniriso ato mang gisagol," Tagarda said.
Tagarda assured that they will not give Almanzor a special treatment.