GENERAL SANTOS CITY–A police officer is facing criminal and administrative charges after being caught carrying an unlicensed firearm during a raid in Polomolok town in South Cotabato on Tuesday.
Chief Insp. Alex Orcjada, Polomolok police chief, confirmed Thursday the arrest of Police Officer (PO) 2 Ernie Sagabay, 36, during a search operation at a compound in Barangay Poblacion.
Orcjada said the raid targeted the residence of suspect Reniel Nilong for alleged possession of illegal drugs, but the latter was not around at that time.
Operatives instead caught PO2 Sagabay at the scene and found in his possession a loaded caliber .45 handgun without proper documents, he said.
“He reasoned out that he was at the scene because his girlfriend lives there,” Orcajada told reporters, adding Sagabay did not yield any illegal drug.
Sagabay, who is assigned at the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RFMB)-12 here, was charged with violation of Republic Act 10591 or illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and is temporarily detained at the Polomolok municipal police station.
Orcjada said they are still waiting for word from Sagabay’s superiors at the Police Regional Office-12 for the filing of administrative charges against the policeman.
Sagabay figured in a controversy in September last year after being wounded in a duel with another policeman, PO3 Earl Malayo, of the provincial intelligence branch, at a detachment in Polomolok.
Records showed that Sagabay was previously assigned at the Polomolok police station but was transferred to the regional headquarters after being found positive of using illegal drugs during a surprise test. (Alejandro Saludo/PNA)
