PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald Dela Rosa confronted Thursday the high ranking police official who was caught in the act of having a pot session in Las Piñas City.
On Thursday morning, Police Superintendent Lito Dumandan Cabamongan and his female companion, Nedy Sabdao, were arrested at a house located on Block 16, Lot 14 Everlasting Homes, Talon 4, Las Piñas City.
Authorities acted on a tip from a concerned citizen that Cabamongan, the chief of the satellite office of the PNP Crime Laboratory Service in Alabang, and his companion were having a pot session in the area.
Dela Rosa said Cabamongan seemed to be still under the influence of illegal drugs when he faced him.
“Ganyan ba sumagot sa PNP Chief, kung hindi ka ba naman bangag,” he said.
In his defense, Cabamongan said he was conducting a "surveillance operation" as an anti-illegal drug operative. He claimed he has the blessing of PNP Crime Laboratory director Chief Superintendent Aurelio Trampe, when the police found him in the area.
Trampe, however, denied his claims.
"Hindi totoo 'yan. We don't operate at Crime Lab on drugs. I told him to coordinate with other operating units when he informed me of alleged pushing activities of Crime Lab personnel," said Trampe, adding that Cabamongan is tasked to run the satellite office, not to take part in any anti-illegal drug operations.
He said he directed Cabamongan to coordinate with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for possible operation against an intelligence officer.
Trampe added that Cabamongan's information was "self serving" as the officer subject of his investigation was also conducting a probe against him for allegedly harassing a policewoman and for dancing in public naked.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Oscar Albayalde agreed with Trampe that Cabamongan does not have the right to join in anti-illegal drug operations.
"It is very unlikely na ang personnel ng Crime Lab ma-involve sa operation. Usually ang involved diyan yun intelligence galing sa different offices. Itong Crime Lab never in the history na na-involve sa surveillance operation," he said.
Cabamongan will be facing criminal charges in relation to dangerous drugs and administrative cases of grave misconduct.
"Administrative, para matanggal siya sa serbisyo. 'Yung grave misconduct (ang ipa-file sa kanya)," said Dela Rosa. (VoxPop Philippines)
