3 cops in La Union shabu lab case ordered arrested

BAUANG, La Union  – Judge Ferdinand Fe of Regional Trial Court Branch 33 here ordered the arrest of three policemen accused of involvement in the protection of a shabu laboratory in Bimmotobot, Naguilian, La Union.

No bail was recommended in the judge’s July 6 order for PO3 Joey Abang, PO2 Walter Banan, and PO1 Rodolfo Damian, all formerly assigned at the Police Regional Mobile Group that used to be headed by Supt.  Dionicio Borromeo, the alleged protector of the shabu laboratory. 

Borromeo is out on a P1-million bail. 

After the discovery of the shabu laboratory in July 2008, the three policemen – along with 30 other policemen – were reassigned to the holding unit at the Philippine National Police main headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City. 

Dante Palaganas, the arrested caretaker of the shabu laboratory, tagged Borromeo as one of the protectors of the illegal drug trade. 

Palaganas has turned state witness and is now under the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice. 

The three policemen were acquitted after the preliminary investigation but were included in the list of respondents after the automatic review of the case conducted by the Office of the President.

The findings of provincial prosecutors Danilo Bumacud, Gaudencio Valdez and Manuel Dulnuan that there is probable cause to indict the three policemen was affirmed by the Office of the President.

Fe also issued a warrant of arrest for Eusebio Tangalin, who owns the lot where the facility was constructed.

Joselito Artuz, alias George Cordero, the alleged financier from Marilao, Bulacan; and six Chinese men who served as chemists, who remain at large; were also charged in the case.