DAVAO CITY — The Army’s 10th Infantry Division clarified that only two of the supposed four soldiers nabbed in a buy-bust operation against illegal drugs in Tagum City were legitimate members of their military unit.
This was clarified by 10th ID spokesperson,Capt. Jerry Lamosao, who identified the two as Corporal Cristiuto Macagubang Jr. assigned at the 3rd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Malagos, Baguio District and SCAA John Rey Mission, a member of Task Force Davao.
“Kadtong duha nagpaila lang nga sundalo og naay dala nga fake AFP ID (The other two were just posing as soliders and they brought along with then fake AFP ID), Lamosao said referring to suspects identified by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 11 (PDEA 11) Cpl. John Louie T. Segovia, Sgt. Albin A. Binondo, who both claimed to ne assigned at the 10th ID.
He said the names of the suspects are not part of the Army’s roster or in any AFP unit.
“The 10th ID does not tolerate the illegal activity of a soldier if there is any especially if it involves illegal drug,” he said.
He said their division is conducting drug test in coordination with PDEA and some were already discharge from service.
“We cooperate with the authorities and encourage our troops and always reminded them not to be involved in illegal drugs,” he said.
In an interview, Binondo admitted that he and Segovia are not soldiers. He added that their AFP Identification cards seized by PDEA 11 are fake.
Binondo said the identification cards were only given to them by a certain Jay-arr Capistrano and they paid P500 for it. He said Capistrano told them that they were given the identification cards as civilian agent but he refused to elaborate on the matter.
PDEA 11 officer-in-charge Naravy Duquiatan said PDEA is now closely coordinating with regards to the true identity of the two suspects.
Duquiatan said Binondo and Segovia will face additional charges of falsification of public documents and usurpation of authority.
Meanhwile, Macagubang, Mission, Binondo, Segovia and the alleged member of gun for hire, Regie Impas, were already submitted for inquest procedure for violation of sections 3 for selling and 11 for possession under Republic Act 9165 Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
They were arrested by PDEA operatives at Purok Talisay, Seminary Drive in Barangay West Magugpo, Tagum City over the weekend. (Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA)
