AN OFFICIAL of Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) said Monday there are no ‘ninja cops’ in the region even after the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested Friday, September 9, a police officer in Cagayan de Oro City allegedly involved in the reselling of seized illegal drugs.
PDEA-Northern Mindanao operatives arrested Police Officer 3 Wilson Estenzo Jr. in a drug bust operation in Villa Candida Subdivision in Barangay Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City.
Anti narcotics operatives confiscated some 15 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu valued at around P50,000.
Superintendent Surki Sereñas, PRO-Northern Mindanao spokesperson, said ‘ninja cops’ are members of a specific unit in the PNP engaged in special operations against illegal drugs but who have gone rogue.
Sereñas said police officers arrested due to involvement in illegal drugs should not be labeled as ‘ninja cops’ unless they are members of the said group.
“Dili pwede tawagon nga ninja cops kanang mga police nga madakpan kay involved sa illegal drugs kay specific na sila nga grupo sauna. Nawala ilang grupo and they gone rogue so instead maghimo og police operations nag-engage na hinoon sa illegal drug activities,” Sereñas said.
“Kana silang madakpan diri sa ato plain police na sila nga lambigit sa droga,” Sereñas added.
Meanwhile, PDEA agent Ben Calibre said they will file cases against Estenzo even with the suspect’s denial of his involvement in illegal drugs.
Calibre said they have been following and monitoring the activities of the suspect.
“Iyang katungod ang mo-deny depende na lang ni sa fiscal or sa korte. Amo nang girespeto,” Calibre said.
“Alias Lispo and nadawat namo nga info but later on pagkadakop ni alias Lispo among nahibal-an nga siya diay mao si ‘Sarj’,” Calibre added.
Calibre said that their operation was legitimate and followed standard operating procedures.
Calibre asserted that PDEA only implements what is mandated according to their functions and duties and maintained that nobody is behind them in the arrest of their targets.
“Walay nagpaluyo sa amo nga bisan kinsa pagpatuman sa balaod gyud ang among gihimo and wala mi gipili nga dakpon. Ang amo kinsa tong mag-positive sa transaction nga mo–qualify sa elements sa buy bust amo gyud dakpon," he said.
The PDEA will file the charges against Estenzo for alleged violations of the Dangerous Drugs Act today, September 13.
“Walay bailbond ang selling,” Calibre said.
