2 PNP personnel nabbed in Muntinlupa buy-bust ops

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 13) – Authorities arrested a patrolman and a police officer declared absent without official leave (AWOL) during a buy-bust operation in Muntinlupa on Wednesday.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Philippine National Police-National Capital Region Police Office (PNP-NCRPO) identified the suspects as Patrolman Rey Palomar Baldonasa, currently assigned at NCRPO-Regional Drug Enforcement Unit, and AWOL member Carlos Rivera Navarro, previously assigned with the Caloocan City Police Office.

The police said they were able to seize suspected shabu weighing 10.0 grams with a standard drug price of P68,000 during the operation.

A Canik 9mm pistol, two Canik magazines, and two identification cards issued by the PNP were also confiscated.

PNP-NCRPO said Baldonasa and Navarro will be charged with illegal possession of drugs and firearms.

Last month, the PNP said 24 out of 115,000 police personnel tested positive for illegal drugs from January to August this year.

READ: 24 police personnel test positive for illegal drugs — PNP

This came a week after Mandaluyong City Chief PCol Cesar Gerente tested positive for illegal drugs. He is the highest ranking official to test positive for illegal drugs this year.