By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A police officer who was absent without official leave (AWOL), along with three others, were recently arrested after City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) operatives conducted a buy-bust operation at Purok Cheriza 2 in Barangay 27, Bacolod City.

Police identified the suspects as Police Officer 1 (PO1) Cesar Caras, Jr. of Barangay Estefania and Ernesto Samson of Barangay 16.

Also arrested were Allen John Garote and Jessa Liza, both residents of Barangay 27.

Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) spokesperson, Police Chief Inspector Sherlock Gabana, said CDEU recovered a total of five big and six elongated sachets of suspected shabu from the suspects, worth around P360,000; along with the P1,000 in marked money.

Gabana added, based on records, Caras was previously assigned under the BCPO’s Mobile Force Company.

He further noted, during the operation, all suspects tried resisting arrest, which resulted in all of them sustaining minor injuries.

All four face illegal drugs charges and are presently detained at Police Station 4./DGB, WDJ