62-year-old ex-tanod nabbed in QC buy-bust operation

A former tanod in Quezon City who had been instrumental in drawing up lists of drug suspects and running after residents allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade was nabbed by police in a buy-bust operation on Monday night.

Noel Crisologo, 62, former member of the now-defunct Barangay Security and Development Officer (BSDO) of Bgy Holy Spirit allegedly sold some shabu to a police asset prior to the buy-bust operation.

The test-buy conducted by operatives of Station Drug Enforcement Unit of the Batasan Police Station was documented on video.

One of the images captured shows Crisologo handing over sachets of shabu to a police asset.

Police Superintendent Joel Villanueva, commander of the QCPD Station 6 said that the images confirmed that Crisologo was indeed involved in peddling drugs in the area.

"Actually si Crisologo, nasa listahan namin ng drug watchlist. Talagang madulas lang yan. Nagpalipat-lipat ng lugar, hindi agad nagbebenta sa mga hindi niya talaga kakilala. Ayun, natiyempuhan ng ating mga operatiba na nabilhan talaga siya. Kaya isinunod na ang buy-bust operation at nagpanggap na iskorer ang pulis natin," said Villanueva.

Crisologo was apprehended shortly after he allegedly sold shabu to undercover cops who posed as a buyer inside his house in Bgy Holy Spirit.

Aside from the buy-bust money and one sachet of shabu bought from Crisologo during the operation, six more sachets of suspected shabu were recovered from him.

Police also revealed that Crisologo served a 10-year term in jail for drug cases but was released in 2010. He then took the job as member of BSDO in Bgy. Holy Spirit and was assigned to run after crime offenders and drug users and dealers in his areas of responsibility.

"Dati-rati sumasama siya sa operasyon laban sa droga. Yun pala may ibang lakad pala. Naging front lang niya ang pagiging tanod at nagbebenta pala ng droga," Villanueva said.

Crisologo denied the allegation that he was involved in the illegal drug trade during his term of office but admitted to peddling drugs only in 2017.

"Kasi nagpahinga ako. Nagbakasyon ako. Doon ko lang pinasok ang droga. Na-engganyo ako ng kaibigan. Malaki ang  kita kaya tinuloy ko na pero nag-resign muna ako sa pagiging tanod sa barangay," he said.

Crisologo is now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and is currently detained at the Batasan Police Station. —KBK, GMA News