Cop caught in buy-bust faces string of charges

CEBU, Philippines - The policeman who was caught on Tuesday during a buy-bust operation may face a string of administrative complaints after it was found out that he was actually on duty when he arrested.

Senior Superintendent Joel Doria, Cebu City Police Office director, told reporters that his office will lodge complaints of conduct unbecoming a police officer and abandonment of post against Police Officer 1 Gem Querubin, who is assigned at Mambaling Police Station.

Doria said that he was informed by the station chief that Querubin was supposed to be on duty at that time but ended up in another place not covered by his area of assignment.

"Dapat nasa lugar ka kung saan ka detailed,  pero wala siya sa area niya," Doria said.

Querubin was inside the house of the subject of the buy-bust operation identified as Sharon Abella, 32, allegedly a newly drug personality.

Following Querubin's arrest, Doria recalled the firearms of the policeman, who is now placed inside the CCPO stockade.

Doria said they are also looking into the connection between Querubin and Abella, who are reportedly lovers.

He recounted that Querubin admitted during his arrest that he knew the subject but later denied his earlier claim.

"Based sa information, magkakilala talaga sila ng babae, may drug siya so definitely may transaction sila sa loob," he said.

Aside from the administrative complaints, Querubin will also face criminal complaints for possession of illegal drugs prohibited under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

Aside from Abella and Querubin, their alleged cohort, Chas Elmond Chavit, 23, was also arrested.

The operation was conducted by a joint team of the City Intelligence Branch, City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 at Sitio Pailob in Sambag 2, Cebu City.

Police seized during the operation 50. 32 grams of suspected shabu valued at P593,776, and P2, 500 cash believed to be proceeds from the illegal drug trade. A small sachet of shabu was seized from Querubin's possession.

Prior to the arrest, Abella reportedly bolted towards her house after the transaction with a poseur-buyer was consummated and the authorities declared that it was a buy-bust operation, prompting them to chase her.

Upon entering the subject's house, the police said they were surprised to see Querubin along with Chavit.

Querubin refused to be interviewed by the media. (FREEMAN)