PDEA agents on 'floating status' after CCTV belies buy-bust story in Dumaguete

Five personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have been placed on floating status and will be under investigation after they were found to have faked a buy-bust operation in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

According to Raffy Tima’s report on “24 Oras,” based on court records, the PDEA agents said they conducted a buy-bust operation in a house in Barangay Looc in Dumaguete City, where they arrested five suspects for selling illegal drugs.

However, the accused presented CCTV footage that showed they were picked up one by one by the authorities and brought to the house where the supposed operation occurred.

The first to be picked up was the alleged mastermind at around 12:40 p.m. This was followed by the two other supposed suspects at 12:53 p.m. after they parked in an area close to where the first was picked up.

Meanwhile, the fourth was picked up not far from the area at 12:56 p.m. They were all brought to a blue car, which was later found to be registered under PDEA.

The fifth one, who was even told to get off his car, was picked up past 1 p.m. He was also told to board the car of the agency.

They were then brought to the house of the alleged mastermind where authorities said they were found to be having a pot session.

In her 15-page decision, Judge Amelia Mendoza said the court will not shirk from its responsibilities to protect the rights of individuals and to ensure that their freedom will not be sacrificed “on account of expediency and efficacy of the war on drugs.”

“The courts must step in and take the cudgels for individual liberties, and in no other situation is this duty more critical and necessary than when the supposed protectors of law and order become the perpetrators themselves,” Mendoza said.

The arrested individuals were released while the court has ordered the five agents to undergo indirect contempt proceedings. PDEA is also investigating the motive of the agents.

“Nandoon po sila sa regional administrative holding officer, administrative holding unit. In essence, floating muna sila ngayon. Hindi sila otorisadong magsagawa ng anti-drug operation until such time na ma-kumpleto po ‘yung imbestigasyon,” PDEA spokesperson Derrick Carreon said.

The agents will face court for their indirect contempt proceedings, which has a punishment of a maximum of six-month imprisonment and a maximum fine of P30,000.

“Definitely, hindi po ito ‘yung normal course ng trabaho. This is more of an exception rather than the rule,” Carreon said. -Joahna Lei Casilao/NB/BAP, GMA News