UNDER PROBE. Police officers in Dueñas, Iloilo arrest a drug suspect, alias 'Atan' in a buy-bust on June 29, 2024. The PNP on Tuesday (July 2, 2024) said it is now investigating allegations of evidence planting by the town's police officers during the operation. (Photo courtesy of DYRI RMN Iloilo)
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it is now investigating allegations of evidence planting by police officers during an anti-drug operation in Iloilo province.
The operation, which was caught on video, took place in Barangay Poblacion in the town of Dueñas at noon on June 29 and resulted in the arrest of a suspect identified as alias ‘Atan’, 38, a traffic auxiliary personnel.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo, in a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City, said the viral clip was only a part of a longer video showing that the sachet containing illegal drugs had been taken from the suspect.
"Based on our interview with the operation unit, when the poseur-buyer executed a pre-arranged signal that the purchase of illegal drugs was consummated, there was a resistance from the suspect, he was made to drop on the ground and the plastic sachet fell. Then, our poseur-buyer picked the drugs that he bought from the suspect," she said in Filipino.
She said they are ready to show the whole video in the interest of transparency.
"Kung may makikita tayong pagkakamali ay (If we see any lapses) we will initiate appropriate action on this matter, " she said.
The shabu recovered from the suspect, who was tagged as a high-value individual, was worth PHP41,000.
The suspect will be charged with the violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)
