Ex-cop, 2 others nabbed in buy-bust ops in Misamis Oriental; P544k-worth 'shabu' seized

A former police officer, alias “Wawang,” and two of his suspected accomplices were arrested in two buy-bust operations in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

In Marisol Abdurahman’s “24 Oras” report on Tuesday, authorities identified Wawang as a Police Regional Office (PRO) 10 officer who was dismissed from the service in February after testing positive during a random drug test in July 2025. He was considered a high-value individual.

Wawang and an alleged pusher were arrested in Barangay Natumolan, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. Authorities were also able to recover from them 10 sachets of suspected crystal meth or shabu worth more than P544,000.

“Kinatatakutan si alias Wawang. Ginagamit pa rin po niya ‘yung kaniyang badge at ‘yung kaniyang ID,” PRO 10 spokesperson P/Maj. Joann Navarro said.

(Alias ​​Wawang is feared. He is still using his badge and his ID.)

“Nagpapakilala po siya na, still, he is an active member po ng PNP (Philippine National Police), kaya po kinakatakutan po siya. ‘Yung mga bumibili sa kaniya, ‘pag hindi magbabayad, tinatakot po niya,” she added.

(He still introduces himself as an active PNP member, which is why people fear him. If buyers don't pay, he threatens them.)

The police have recovered the suspect’s police badge and police ID.

In Abdurahman’s report, Wawang allegedly runs illegal drug operations in the town of Tagoloan and nearby municipalities.

“Mayroon pong mga industrial workers, ‘yung iba naman is meron pong mga truck drivers. ‘Yun po allegedly ang mga parokyano po niya,” Navarro said.

(His alleged clients include industrial workers and truck drivers.)

In Barangay Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental authorities arrested another high-value individual identified as alias “AJ.”

Confiscated from the suspect were 300 grams of suspected shabu valued at over P2 million.

“Malaki ‘yung kaniyang network sa area. Nagbabagsak siya sa mga SLI (Street-Level Individual) po natin,” Navarro said.

(He has a large network in the area. He supplies our SLIs.)

Authorities are currently investigating whether the apprehended suspects — who have yet to issue a statement — belong to a larger drug syndicate. — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/BAP, GMA News