DAVAO CITY – Operatives of the Talomo police station here have arrested an active cop and the brother of an officer of the Davao City police office in a buy-bust operation here last Wednesday.
The Davao City police office and the Philippine National Police Regional Office 11 identified the suspects as Police Staff Sgt. Elcelito M. Colita, assigned at the Marilog police station here, and Glenn Art L. Muring, brother of DCPO administration section chief Police Major Peter John L. Muring.
The Drug Enforcement Team of the Talomo police station said the suspects were arrested outside the University of Southeastern Philippines in Barrio Obrero around 8:40 p.m. after Glenn Art sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P1,500 to a police poseur-buyer.
Seized from Glenn Art were seven sachets of shabu with a total value of P10,500 and a 9mm pistol. On the other hand, seized from Colita was his service firearm.
PNP PRO 11 director Police Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales was saddened by the incident since one of the suspects is a policeman.
Morales said he has relieved Police Capt. Merlito Tubog, station commander of the Marilog police station, for command responsibility, and Major Muring for failure to stop his brother from conducting an illegal activity.
“I cannot contain my emotions upon hearing that, again, one of my men was involved in illegal drug activities. I am furious and sad at the same time that despite the efforts of the command to guide and mold our police officers in the region to be the best in their given field, and yet, this report involving a police officer, Police Staff Sergeant Elcelito Macarandan Colita, assigned at Marilog police station, in illegal drugs was beyond unacceptable,” Morales said.
Talomo police station commander Police Major Ronald Lao said the subject of the operation was Glenn Art since he was nabbed for possession of illegal drugs in a checkpoint in Barangay Lasang before.
Lao said Glenn Art posted bail following his arrest and availed himself of a plea bargaining agreement but he was monitored going back to his illegal activity.
Lao added that Colita served as Glenn Art’s protector during the recent drug operation. He said Colita was also identified by arrested drug suspects as among those involved in the illegal drugs trade. (Armando Fenequito)