4 police officers, cohort nabbed in Subic shabu lab

BY CHITO CHAVEZ, LIEZLE BASA INIGO

Four police officers and their cohort were arrested Friday by members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) during a buy-bust operation that led to the discovery of a clandestine shabu laboratory at Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales.

PDEA spokesperson Derrick Arnold Carreon identified the suspects as P/Lt. Reynato Basa Jr., P/Cpl. Gino dela Cruz, P/Cpl. Edesyr Victor Alipio, P/Cpl. Godfrey Duclayan Parentela, and Jericho Dabu.

The raiding team also seized 300 grams of shabu, five cellular phones, various laboratory equipment used in the manufacture of illegal drugs, four pieces of Glock 17 and a 9mm pistol; a Honda Civic VTI 1996 model with plate number UKM 779, and bundles of boodle money with one genuine 1,000 peso bill on top.

Carreon said that the operation was conducted at 336-B FineBack St. where the suspects were nabbed at around 1 a.m. Police said the laboratory was discovered when Jericho, the subject of the buy-bust, ran towards the house where the shabu laboratory is located.

The four cops, who allegedly served as lookouts, were arrested nearby. PDEA investigators said the arrested police officers are believed to be the protectors of the clandestine shabu laboratory.

The suspects are now facing charges for violation of Sections 5, 8 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 Republic Act 9165 (The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).