Inmate, civilian arrested during buy-bust in Zamboanga

A person deprived of liberty (PDL) and a civilian were arrested during a joint buy-bust operation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) for alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

BuCor said Wednesday the PDL was detained at the minimum security camp of San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SRPPF) in Zamboanga City.

Recovered from the two suspects was an undetermined amount of substance believed to be shabu.

BuCor said based on initial report, 15 PDLs, including the suspect, were taken out of the minimum camp on Tuesday for their institutional duties and tasks. 

They were brought to a five-hectare vegetable farm site at the National Highway in Sitio San Ramon, Barangay Talisayan. It is where the supposed drug deal and buy-bust operation took place.

The agency said the four BuCor officers monitoring the PDLs were relieved while an investigation is being conducted on their possible involvement.

“There is no place for misfit personnel and our collaboration with other law enforcement agencies was meant to curb the issue of proliferation of contrabands inside the corrections facilities despite our rigorous measures in place,” the agency said.

The SRPPF was also directed to coordinate with PDEA to uncover the individuals responsible for the incident. 

The PDL and the civilian were brought to PDEA for booking and to undergo inquest proceedings.—AOL, GMA Integrated News