MANILA — Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade has fired a regional officer of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) after he was apprehended for possession of illegal drugs.
The secretary has ordered LTO chief Edgar Galvante to immediately fire LTO Tarlac officer-in-charge Rodel Yambao after he was arrested for possession of nine sachets of suspected shabu, a hand grenade, and bullets for an undetermined handgun.
Yambao was nabbed during a joint operation by the Tarlac police and operatives of the Philippine Drug and Enforcement Agency at his residence in Barangay San Roque in Tarlac City.
“Kung mga corrupt nga hindi natin pinalalampas, eto pa kayang sangkot sa ipinagbabawal na gamot? Ang mga anay na gaya mo, walang puwang sa departamentong ito lalo na sa lipunan na galit na galit sa droga! (We do not tolerate corrupt officials, what more those involved in illegal drugs? Termites like you have no business in this department, especially in a society that hates drugs),” Tugade said in a statement Thursday.
Tugade ordered Galvante to check into Yambao’s background and determine if he was involved in any corrupt practices during his term.
Yambao is currently under police custody and is facing charges of possession of illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. (PNA)
