CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 26, 2025 — A joint law enforcement operation led by the City Intelligence Unit (CIU) of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) resulted in the arrest of a 50-year-old AWOL police officer known as “Artag” in Barangay Iponan on Friday.
The suspect, a resident of Sta. Ana, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, was apprehended at Block 1, Lot 24, Virginia Homes Subdivision through the combined efforts of CIU, RSOU 10, Police Station 7, and CMFC/SWAT. The operation was conducted by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest for violation of Section 11 of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, under Criminal Case No. R-CDO-24-03744-CR. No bail was recommended.
Authorities confirmed that “Artag” is also a respondent in a pending murder case involving the killing of Police Captain Abdulcahar B. Armama, then-station commander of Police Station 2 (Cogon), which is currently under review at the Prosecutor’s Office.
The operation yielded a cache of weapons and illegal drugs, including:
- One caliber .45 pistol (Serial No. 2647136) with 10 live rounds
- One caliber .38 revolver (Serial No. 32268)
- One Magnum .22 revolver without a cylinder
- One hand grenade
- A red sando bag containing 34 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition
- One large heat-sealed sachet of suspected shabu weighing approximately 10 grams, valued at Php 68,000
- Various drug paraphernalia
The suspect was brought to Police Station 7 for documentation and will face additional charges for violations of R.A. No. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and R.A. No. 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives).
Police Brigadier General Jaysen C. De Guzman, Regional Director of PRO10, condemned the suspect’s actions, reiterating the Philippine National Police’s strong stance against lawlessness, especially within its own ranks.
“PRO10 upholds a strict policy of zero tolerance for erring cops. We will not condone any criminal behavior. Whether you are a fellow officer or an ordinary citizen, if you break the law, you will face the full force of justice. No one is above the law,” he stated.
PBGEN De Guzman assured the public of the police force’s commitment to ensuring peace, order, and justice throughout Northern Mindanao.