Tagum cop charged for hiding drug evidence

By Funny Pearl A. Gajunera
Charges were filed before the Tagum City Prosecutor’s Office against the police officer who allegedly hid evidence from a drug raid on Tuesday morning Barangay Magdaum, Tagum City.
Cases of Obstruction of Justice and Violation of Section 27 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 were filed against Police Officer (PO)2 Domijun Valleser of the Tagum City Police Station.
Section 27 of RA 9165 is the criminal liability of a public officer or employee for misappropriation, misapplication, or failure to account for the confiscated, seized and/or surrendered dangerous drugs.
Eastern Mindanao Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (EMCIDU) director Senior Superintendent Joel Pernito said the charges were filed against Valleser at around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday before prosecutor Noel Palma.
Different forces of the Philippine National Police (PNP) had implemented a simultaneous enforcement of 12 search warrants in Barangay Madaum, Tagum City on Tuesday morning.
Eight suspects were apprehended during the raid with one casualty from the suspects who police said tried to escape during the operation.
Authorities confiscated 150 grams of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) with a street value of P1.35 million from the suspects.
Also confiscated were 11 high powered firearms, three low powered firearms, and 15 undocumented motorcycles.
According to Pernito, his team was conducting an inventory for the documentation needed by the court when they noticed that a green pouch taken during the raid was missing.
When they checked the photos taken during the raid, they discovered that Valleser was the one holding the green pouch.
“Pag kita namin dun sa picture pinatawag kaagad namin siya and he denied it until pinakita namin yung ebidensya (When we saw the picture we summoned him immediately. He denied it at first, but when we showed him the photos) he was forced to admit it,” Pernito said.
Pernito said the green pouch contained drug paraphernalia and at least one sachet of shabu.
Police are still investigating the background of Valleser to see if he had been involved in other drug-related cases.