AN OUTGOING village chief in Manticao, Misamis Oriental, was arrested for possession of suspected illicit drugs, explosives and bullets, early Saturday, June 9.
The suspect was identified as Marvin Tagalogon, 53, the outgoing chairman of Barangay Cabantian in Manticao town.
Tagalogon served his last term as captain but won a fresh mandate as a member of the village council on May 14.
Anti-narcotics operatives seized four sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, known as "shabu," a fragmentation grenade and four 20 gauge shotgun ammunition.
Senior Superintendent Rolando Destura, chief of the Misamis Oriental Provincial Police Office, said Tagologon was a high-value target in the illegal drug trade because of his position as public official.
Destura also said the suspect was listed number 6 in the PNP-PDEA provincial level target list.
He said the police's anti-drug units have been monitoring the illegal drug transactions of the suspect.
The provincial police director also said the suspect has been transacting dangerous drugs in his own locality, but did not reveal his sources.
Destura said authorities are monitoring more elected village officials involved in the illegal drug trade.
The suspect will be facing drug charges and illegal possession of explosives and ammunition.
