By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A former member of the Special Action Force (SAF), along with three others, were arrested following a buy-bust operation at Purok Paloma, Barangay 16, Bacolod City, late Friday evening.

Police identified the arrested SAF member as Police Officer 3 (PO3) Clyde Dulaca, 45, a resident of Barangay 35 of the said city.

Cops also nabbed the primary subject of the operation, Agiemon Padilla, 28; alongside Gracel Carian, 37, and Chad Mariano, 21. All three are residents of Barangay 16.

Police Station 1 (PS1) commander, Police Senior Inspector Leo Estopa, said Dulaca was assigned at SAF headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City but was reportedly AWOL, or absent without official leave.

Estopa said the suspects were caught in the act of snorting shabu inside the target’s house.

Cops recovered a .45 caliber pistol with eight .45 caliber bullets from Dulaca and seven sachets of suspected shabu from all four suspects.

The suspects are all facing illegal drugs charges, while Dulaca is facing a separate charge for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

All four are detained at PS1./DGB, WDJ