Mati City, Davao Oriental – November 13, 2024
In a late-night anti-drug operation, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office XI, in collaboration with the Mati City Police Station, arrested a government employee allegedly involved in illegal drug activities.
The operation, conducted around 9:43 PM at Purok Daisy 1, Mapantad, Barangay Sainz, targeted Mario Bangga Bicoy, 51, a Public Safety Officer employed by the Mati City Local Government Unit (LGU). Bicoy, known by his alias “Bebe,” was apprehended after selling a sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as “shabu,” worth Php 1,000 to an undercover PDEA operative posing as a buyer.
Authorities identified Bicoy’s 29-year-old son, Kenny Jay Bicoy, as his accomplice in the illegal drug trade. However, Kenny Jay managed to evade arrest after sensing the operation. Despite efforts to locate him, he remains at large.
During the operation, law enforcement agents seized additional evidence, including a medium-sized sachet of suspected shabu weighing approximately five grams with an estimated street value of Php 34,000, drug paraphernalia, and the marked buy-bust money.
Both Mario Bangga Bicoy and his son are facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The PDEA and police have intensified efforts to apprehend Kenny Jay and dismantle the suspected drug network.
Authorities reiterated their commitment to combating illegal drugs, especially when public officials are implicated. This operation underscores their dedication to ensuring accountability and maintaining public trust.
