BUTUAN CITY — A 64-year-old government employee was arrested in a buy-bust operation on April 30 in Barangay 8, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, after allegedly selling illegal drugs to an undercover agent, in a case that authorities say underscores the alarming involvement of public servants in the narcotics trade.
The operation, carried out at around 2:03 p.m., was led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 13 (PDEA RO 13) through its Agusan del Norte Provincial Office, in coordination with its Legal and Prosecution Unit, SIU-Nasipit, Intelligence and Investigation Service, and the Buenavista Municipal Police Station.
Authorities identified the suspect as a government employee, whose name is being withheld pending formal charges. During the operation, the suspect allegedly sold suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu,” worth ₱40,800 to a poseur-buyer.
Operatives recovered the buy-bust money, a cellular phone, and the suspect’s government-issued identification card, further confirming his employment in the public sector. The suspect is now under the custody of authorities while charges are being prepared.
He is set to face a case for violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which penalizes the sale of dangerous drugs and carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment.
The arrest has raised serious concerns over integrity within government ranks, as law enforcement officials stress that public servants are expected to uphold the law—not violate it.
PDEA RO 13 Regional Director Director III Laurefel P. Gabales lauded the coordinated efforts of the operating units and emphasized that the success of the operation was made possible through close collaboration among law enforcement agencies and the community.
The agency reiterated that the fight against illegal drugs requires sustained vigilance and active public participation, urging citizens to report suspicious activities in their communities.
The incident adds to a growing list of drug-related arrests involving individuals in positions of public trust, reinforcing calls for stricter monitoring and accountability within government institutions as authorities intensify their crackdown on illegal drugs in the region.