PDEA files case vs bocap for ‘gross misconduct’

BAGUIO CITY -- A barangay captain here could only shake his head after the regional Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency filed administrative cases against him for “gross dereliction of duty, conduct unbecoming of a public officer and gross misconduct.”

The cases were filed before the City Council here Oct. 25 against barangay chairman Edmundo Gundran of Military Cut-off.

This, after a buy-bust operation was carried out by PDEA agents Oct. 13, near the Baguio Convention Center and University of the Philippines Baguio, which is within the jurisdiction of Gundran.

A PDEA press release said the arrested suspects were brought to the PDEA office at the basement of the Melvin Jones Grandstand along Harrison Road for documentation of the operation, to include inventory of seized items.

Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act 9165 (The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), one of the witnesses required in the inventory is an elected official.

Hence, Gundran’s assistance regarding the matter was reportedly sought by PDEA officers.

Gundran reportedly arrived later at the Baguio SET office at around 2 a.m. on Oct. 14where the team leader of the operating drug law enforcement officers briefed him about his role in the inventory, further telling him that as witness, he needed to sign the inventory sheet.

However, while other witnesses in the inventory were yet to arrive, Gundran allegedly started interrogating and badgering the suspects, making regional PDEA director Gil Cesario P. Castro ask the barangay captain to refrain from doing so.

The PDEA report said the barangay captain, who was under the influence of liquor, left and when it was time for the inventory, he could no longer be found.

This prompted a PDEA officer to call his cellular phone, informing him that the inventory was about to take place and that he was being requested to go back to the office for the undertaking.

Gundran allegedly denied the request and got angry, allegedly telling the law enforcement officer, “Apay kitdin nga pirmaak dayta ket hanko met ammu dayta operation. Distorbo kayo ti panaturog. (Why should I sign that if I don’t know about the operation. You are disturbing my sleep.)”

During the conversation, Gundran allegedly challenged the PDEAto file the necessary case against him.

The PDEA press release said any elected official’s refusal to perform his obligation as a witness to the inventory is a clear violation and disregard of Department of the Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular Number 2009-09 dated January 29, 2009, specifically on the Punong Barangay’s responsibility to extend necessary assistance and cooperation, from operations up to prosecution, to PDEA and Philippine National Police authorities, in their operation against illegal drugs.