A former police officer and his companion were arrested during an illegal drug buy-bust operation in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

Personnel of the Tagoloan Municipal Police Station arrested the former policeman identified as alias “Wawang,” 29, and his 22-year-old companion after they were allegedly caught selling suspected shabu in the area.

Authorities also said that the suspect, a former patrolman, had been absent from duty after testing positive for illegal drugs during a random drug test conducted in July 2025.

His dismissal order came out in February 2026.

“July last year pa lang diay after siya nag positibo sa iligal nga droga nag AWOL kini wala na nag tunga aside ang iyang dismissal tungod sa pag positibo niya sa iligal nga droga,” Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) Spokesperson, Major Joann Navarro, said.

Seized from the suspects were sachets of suspected shabu worth around P554,000.

The operating team also confiscated a police badge and identification card allegedly belonging to the former police officer, which authorities believe may have been used by the suspect to facilitate the acquisition of large quantities of illegal drugs.

The suspects are facing charges for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165).

"We would like to point out that the PNP is serious in implementing the internal cleansing within its ranks especially itong drug use,” PRO-10 Director, Brigadier General Christopher Abrahano, said.