Ex-cop indicted for “selling” drugs

CEBU, Philippines - A former policeman earlier arrested for allegedly selling illegal drugs was indicted for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Assistant city prosecutor Jose Nathaniel Andal elevated the criminal complaint for violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165 against Junicar Estiñoso, 39.

Estiñoso, who was dismissed from the police service, was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by the operatives of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (RAIDSOTG) last March 5 in Barangay Central Cogon Ramos.

Andal said the accused was indicted based on the evidence presented by the arresting officers because he failed to submit his counter-affidavit. He earlier signed a waiver of detention to avail of his right to a preliminary investigation but failed to submit his counter-affidavit.

The police seized a medium pack of shabu worth P25,000 from the accused during the buy-bust operation. The prosecutor’s office did not recommend bail for Estiñoso’s temporary liberty. — (FREEMAN)