Police nab Pampanga CIDG chief, 6 others for ‘recycling’ seized drugs

The Philippine National Police-Crime Investigation and Detection Group has arrested its own Pampanga provincial chief and six civilian agents for alleged trafficking of illegal drugs previously seized during police operations.

 

In a press briefing on Tuesday, CIDG acting director Police Supt. Benjamin Magalong revealed that Police Insp. Bienvenido Reydado, provincial chief of Pampanga CIDG, together with six others were involved in a modus operandi called "agaw bato." 

 

Reydado allegedly "recycles" illegal drugs, specifically methamphetamine hydrochloride commonly referred to as "shabu," that were seized from legitimate anti-drug operations.

He was also said to "negotiate" the release of drug traffickers, particularly Chinese nationals, in exchange for money.

 

Reydado of PNPA Class '99 assumed his post only a little over six months ago. Prior to his appointment to the CIDG, he faced an administrative charge also related to drug trafficking. The charge, however, was dismissed. 

 

Reydado was arrested on Monday afternoon at the Pampanga Provincial CIDG office together with five armed civilians identified as Adriano Laureta, Arnold Sanggalang, Eric Reydado, Pedrito Tadeo, and Alberto Reydado.

 

The other civilian agent implicated in Reydado's "agaw bato" modus operandi was identified as Edwardson Sisracon, who was tagged as the No. 2 most wanted person in Naic, Cavite. 

 

Sisracon was arrested by operatives in the group's alleged safe house in Brgy. Panginay in Balagtas, Bulacan. 

 

Seized firearms, money

 

During the arrests, the police seized from Reydado and his group five high powered firearms, 11 pistols, magazines, five sports utility vehicles, two motorcycles and P2.6 million cash "believed to be proceeds" from selling confiscated shabu. 

 

Magalong noted that Reydado, during his tenure as Pampanga CIDG chief, has impounded 26 kilos and two luggages of shabu, which were subsequently recycled and sold. 

 

Magalong also noted that Reydado reported that some anti-drug operations failed even if these were successful.

 

Reydado and the five other suspects are currently detained at the Anti-Organized Crime Unit in PNP Camp Crame, while Sisracon is detained at the NCR-CIDG detention center.

 

Reydado and his team may face administrative (grave offense) and criminal charges such as illegal possession of firearms and drug trafficking. 

 

Reydado, CIDG Pampanga Region 3 chief Police Sr. Supt. Victor Valencia, and seven members of the CIDG Pampanga provincial office were relieved from their post pending investigation. 

 

Police Supt. Heryl Bruno was named as officer-in-charge of the Pampanga provincial CIDG office. 

 

Other similar modus involving policemen

 

"This recent accomplishment is part of transforming and cleansing the police ranks," Magalong told reporters. 

 

"The important thing here is that the CIDG is acting on rogue elements within CIDG. This sends a strong message na hindi sila pwedeng nasa PNP at hindi sila dapat involved sa mga ganitong activities," Magalong added.

 

"May mga minamanmanan kasi na similar modus na hindi lang sa CIDG," he noted. 

 

Reydado refused to talk to the media. 

 

One of the purported armed men linked to Reydado, however, told GMA News Online that they were only "volunteers" aiding the police force.

 

"Walang katotohanan [ang mga sinabi nila]. Voluntary kaming tumulong. Tumulong lang kami sa kapulisan," he said. —KG, GMA News