Operatives of the Davao City Talomo Police Station arrested an active cop and a brother of a police official in an anti-illegal drugs sting on Wednesday night.
The suspects were identified as Staff Sgt.Elcelito M. Colita, who was assigned at Marilog Police Station, and Glenn Art L. Muring, brother of Maj. Peter John L. Muring who heads the administration section of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).
Police report bared that the Drug Enforcement Team of Talomo Police Station launched the buy-bust operation outside the University of Southeastern Philippines in Barrio Obrero around 8:40 p.m. of October 2, as one of the suspects requested the said venue.
When Muring was about to hand a sachet of shabu in exchange of P1, 500 cash, to a police agent acting as a poseur-buyer, the operatives immediately arrested the suspects.
Seized from the possession of Muring were seven sachets of shabu with a total worth P10, 500 and a 9mm pistol while the service pistol of Colita was also taken by the operatives.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 regional director Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales presented the suspects to the media in a press briefing on Thursday morning at the DCPO Conference Room.
Morales bared that despite the successful operations, he had mixed emotions to know one of the suspects is a policeman.
“I am furious and sad at the same time that despite the efforts of the command to guide and mold our police officers in the region to be the best in their given field,” he said.
Morales said that with the incident, he also ordered the relief of Capt. Merlito Tubog, station commander of Marilog Police Station for command responsibility and Maj. Muring for failure to advise his brother to stop the illegal activity.
For his part, Talomo Police Station commander Ronald Lao said the subject of the operation was Muring since he was nabbed before for possesion of illegal drugs in a checkpoint in Barangay Lasang.
Lao said after the arrest of Muring, the latter posted bail and also availed a plea bargaining agreement, but he was monitored going back to his illegal activity.
In the case of Colita, Lao said he was present during the operation since he was serving as the protector of Muring.
The name of Colita , however, has been mentioned from the drug suspects arrested from previous illegal drugs operation.
