ILOILO – The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has refuted claims of evidence planting in a recent drug operation in Dueñas town.
Police Colonel Bayani Razalan, the acting director of IPPO, asserted that the operation was conducted properly and transparently.
The operation, captured on video, occurred in Barangay Poblacion, Dueñas around noon on June 29, resulting in the arrest of a 38-year-old traffic auxiliary worker known as alias “Atan”.
The arrest and procedures followed during the operation were witnessed by local barangay officials and media personalities, said Razalan.
Controversy arose from a viral video clip, suggesting a sachet of shabu used in the buy-bust might have been planted after it fell to the ground.
However, Razalan clarified that this clip was part of a longer video, which shows the sachet being retrieved from the suspect’s wallet, dismissing allegations of misconduct
Razalan insisted on the integrity of their operations, saying, “It is not our practice to plant evidence, and that is what I want to avoid. My instruction to my men is clear: do not plant anything on our target just to have accomplishments.”
Adding to the statements from the local police, Colonel Jean Fajardo, the Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson, addressed the issue in a press briefing at Camp Crame. She confirmed that the entire video had been reviewed and is available for public viewing to ensure transparency.
“Our analysis of the operation showed that after the poseur-buyer signaled the completion of the illegal drug transaction, the suspect resisted and dropped the drugs. The poseur-buyer then retrieved the purchased sachet,” Fajardo explained, committing to take appropriate action if any procedural lapses are identified.
The Dueñas police station personnel recovered P41,000 worth of shabu from the suspect, who has since been charged under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9165)./PN
