Councilman facing illegal drug charges

CEBU, Philippines — A barangay councilman in Naga City is now facing charges after he was arrested for illegal drug use and possession.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7) has filed three administrative cases before the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday against Councilman Renante Chiong of Barangay Mainit, Naga City, Cebu who was arrested on August 23, 2022 for possessing and using illegal drugs.

The charges are for violation of Republic Act. No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and the Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees; Grave Misconduct pursuant to Section 50, Rule 10 of the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in Civil Service, and for Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Service pursuant to Section 46, Chapter 7 of The Revised Administrative Code of 1987 on the Civil Service Commission.

PDEA-7 spokesperson Leia Alcantara explained that it is not PDEA's job to file administrative cases against the barangay officials they arrest, but as part of their desire to effectively implement their anti-illegal drug campaign in Region 7, they have done an initiative to file the case.

Apart from this, Alcantara said they were the ones who arrested the suspect and they also knew about the incident, so their regional director actually filed the administrative cases.

The PDEA really wants the suspect to be held accountable for what he did since he is a barangay official who should serve as an example to the people.

Chiong was arrested at his home in Barangay Mainit through a search warrant and during the operation he was found with 12 packets of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia which were recovered and also was found positive during the drug test.

Also, Chiong has been charged for violation of Section 11, Possession of Dangerous Drugs; Section 12, Possession of Equipment, Instrument, Apparatus, and Other Paraphernalia for Dangerous Drugs, and Section 15, Use of Dangerous Drugs under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Acts of 2002. — Nina C. Tundag, GMR (FREEMAN)