KIDAPAWAN CITY — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 12 on Monday filed charges against an active member of the Philippine Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion for violation of the anti-drug law and illegal possession of firearms.
Army Sgt. Teddy Paltinca, 42, of the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion based in the North Cotabato town of Midsayap was arrested on Sunday in his home in Barangay Capayuran, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato by joint police, Army and PDEA operatives.
Although armed, Paltinca did not resist arrest when his residence was surrounded by PDEA agents, police, and soldiers who happened to be his colleagues from the 34th IB.
Naravy Duquiatan, PDEA-12 chief, said both police and military personnel subjected Paltinca to a month-long surveillance on his involvement in the illegal drug trade.
“We learned he was not only peddling but also using illegal drugs,” Duquiatan said.
Seized from Paltinca were eight sachets of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) with an estimated street value of PHP4, 000, shabu paraphernalia, two .45-caliber pistols with ammunition and PHP76, 700 cash.
The suspect, currently detained at the PDEA-12 detention facility in General Santos City, was charged with violation of R. A. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) and R. A. 10591 (Illegal Possession of Firearms). (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
