PNP to probe cop’s recent transfer to PDEG despite alleged drug links

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it will investigate the recent transfer of a staff sergeant to the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) despite information about his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

In an ambush interview, PNP PIO chief Police Colonel Red Maranan was asked if the PNP had information about Staff Sergeant Ed Dyson Banaag’s alleged involvement in illegal drugs prior to his arrest in a buy-bust operation in Manila.

“Yes, of course. Dahil ang pagsasagawa naman ng isang buy-bust operation ay isang very, very meticulous at time-consuming operation. Hindi naman ura-urada ‘yan, ano? So ‘yan ay dine-develop,” Maranan said.

(Yes, of course, because the conduct of a buy-bust operation is a very, very meticulous and time-consuming operation. It’s not something you can rush. It has to be developed.)

Further asked why Banaag was recently transferred to the PDEG despite the organization having this information, Maranan said this was going to be the subject of their continued investigation.

“Oo, tama ka. At ‘yan ang magiging subject ng ating patuloy na investigation.”

(Yes, you are right. And that will be the subject of our investigation.)

According to Maranan, Banaag was assigned to the PDEG on January 4, though he never reported there until his arrest.

He said that Banaag had been in and out of the PDEG.

“Base sa aming initial na pag-iimbestiga, siya ay dating na-assign na rin sa PDEG. Pabalik-balik siyang naa-assign doon. Natatanggal, nababalik, at nito ngang January 4 siya ibabalik,” Maranan.

(Based on our initial investigation, he was previously assigned to PDEG. He has been in and out of the PDEG. He would be removed, and then reassigned, and this January 4 was his return.)

“Again, that will be part of our investigation,” he added.

They will also probe if there are links between Banaag and former Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr., who was once recognized as the best policeman in PDEG prior to his arrest that yielded almost a ton of suspected shabu.

“Ayan ang ating titignan. Kung may connection yang dalawang ‘yan,” he said.

(We will also look into that. If those two have a connection.)

Meanwhile, during the Laging Handa briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the arrest was part of the PNP’s internal cleansing efforts.

“Bagama’t may mga panawagan po ng courtesy resignation sa mga third-level officer ay hindi po natin inii-stop at hinihinto ‘yung ating pagsugpo at paghabol dito sa mga pulis po na patuloy na gumagawa po ng mga illegal activities,” he said.

(Though there was a call for courtesy resignations for our third-level officers, we did not stop our pursuing police officers who commit illegal activities.) — BM, GMA Integrated News