TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur — An AWOL police officer identified as a high-value drug personality was arrested in a pre-dawn buy-bust operation in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, leading to the seizure of more than ₱200,000 worth of suspected shabu and counterfeit money, authorities said.
Police Colonel Jeffrey Lawrence D. Mauricio, Provincial Director of the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO), identified the suspect as Rodel Jariol, alias “Ben,” 33, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Cortes, Surigao del Sur. Jariol is a former member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who is currently on Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) status and has been validated as a watchlisted High-Value Individual (HVI) drug pusher.
Jariol was arrested at around 1:21 a.m. in Purok Langoyon, Barangay Poblacion, Marihatag during a coordinated anti-illegal drug operation led by the SDSPPO Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), with support from the Marihatag Municipal Police Station (MPS) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Surigao del Sur Provincial Office. The operation was conducted based on a Target Intelligence Packet (TIP) from the Provincial Intelligence Unit and in full coordination with PDEA.
During the buy-bust operation, operatives recovered five heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, weighing approximately 30 grams with an estimated street value of ₱204,000.
Also seized were one genuine ₱1,000 bill used as buy-bust money, eleven counterfeit ₱1,000 bills, a black Nokia keypad cellular phone, a black wallet, an orange-and-black coin pouch, and an identification card.
To ensure transparency and the integrity of the operation, the search and inventory were witnessed by a barangay kagawad of Barangay Poblacion and a media representative, in accordance with established procedures.
The suspect was duly informed of his constitutional rights under the Miranda Doctrine and was provided an Anti-Torture Warning. Jariol and the confiscated evidence were brought to the Marihatag Municipal Police Station for proper documentation and disposition.
In an official statement, Col. Mauricio underscored that the arrest reflects the police force’s firm stance against illegal drugs in the province, especially when the offender is a former law enforcer.
“Ang matagumpay na buy-bust operation laban kay Rodel Jariol, alyas ‘Ben,’ sa Marihatag, Surigao del Sur ay patunay ng ating walang humpay na kampanya laban sa iligal na droga sa Surigao del Sur. Sa ating isinagawang validation, kumpirmado na ang suspek ay isang High-Value Individual (HVI),” Mauricio said.
He further expressed regret over the suspect’s background as a former police officer now on AWOL status.
“Ikinalulungkot din nating kinukumpirma na siya ay dating miyembro ng PNP na kasalukuyang nasa status na AWOL. Ang pagiging AWOL ay hindi lamang simpleng pagliban sa trabaho; ito ay tahasang pagtalikod sa kanyang sinumpaang tungkulin at pag-abandona sa serbisyo na dapat ay nagpoprotekta sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.
Mauricio emphasized that leaving the service stripped the suspect of any privilege associated with being a police officer.
“Sa sandaling tinalikuran niya ang disiplina ng ating organisasyon, nawala rin ang anumang pribilehiyo na kaakibat ng pagiging pulis. Gayunpaman, muli nating binibigyang-diin: walang sinasanto ang ating batas. Ang pagiging dating lingkod-bayan ay hindi lisensya upang gumawa ng krimen,” he said.
Authorities confirmed that criminal charges are now being prepared against Jariol for violations of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as well as for possession of counterfeit currency.
“Tinitiyak ko sa publiko na magiging mabilis at maayos ang pag-usad ng kasong ito. Hindi natin hahayaang masayang ang pagod ng ating mga operatiba at kapulisan ng Surigao del Sur na taos-pusong ginagawa ang tungkulin,” Mauricio stressed.
He concluded by assuring the public that the police force will remain vigilant and uncompromising in its anti-drug campaign.
“Ang aming hanay ay mananatiling malinis at matatag sa pagprotekta sa mamamayan laban sa sinumang nagpapakalat ng iligal na droga sa ating lalawigan.”
Investigators are now looking into the extent of the suspect’s drug network and possible links to other illegal activities in the province.