By Katrina Gracia Consebido
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant CG Admiral Artemio Abu issued a warning to members of the PCG against illegal drug use and operations.
His appeal followed the arrest of Seaman First Class Bernabe Cosme Delin Jr. who was found with five sachets of shabu in a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Cabatangan, Zamboanga City on Jan. 7, along with Gilbert Johnston, 53, and Edgar Maghinay, 32.
A total of P11,628 of illegal products were also seized during the operation.
The Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao is planning on conducting random drug tests for PCG personnel.
Abu expressed support to the government’s efforts to combat illegal drugs and vowed to dismiss any PCG official found guilty, regardless of position or rank.
“Magsilbing aral ang insidenteng ito sa mga kapwa ko Coast Guardians na pahalagahan ang ating sinumpaang tungkulin sa bayan,” Abu said.
“Kaisa tayo ng gobyerno sa pakikipaglaban sa operasyon ng iligal na droga kaya kung sinuman ang mahuhuling sangkot dito, anuman ang posisyon o ranggo, ay tatanggalin sa serbisyo…ahil ang kailangan ng Philippine Coast Guard ay mga lingkod bayan na tapat sa bansa at kapwa Pilipino,” he continued. -ag
