FOR OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE

MANAOAG—The police have filed a case for obstruction of justice against the barangay captain of Sapang, Manaoag and several of his companions after they allegedly intervened when they were arresting a suspect in a buy-bust operation on June 3 in the barangay.

The police and PDEA R1 operatives had just busted Jeffrey Taligac, 37, a welder and a resident of Sapang after he was allegedly caught selling one heat-sealed transparent sachet containing shabu to an undercover agent.

One pack of cigarettes containing two pieces of heat-sealed transparent sachets of shabu were found inside his pants’ pocket.

However, Barangay Captain Robert Calachan denied he intervened but merely asked the policemen if they had a warrant of arrest or search warrant as he was not aware that the arrest was the result of a buy-bust operation.

He explained he was roused from his sleep at 10:30 p.m. on June 3 by their neighbor who reported to him that Taligac was being arrested by the police.

When he went to the place which is just a few meters away from their house, he saw Taligac pinned down by the policemen. He saw four policemen there and one of them was wearing a face bonnet.

“I asked the policemen if they found anything on Taligac but they did not answer,” he said.  

He said he is also ready to face a charge that could be filed against him in court of before the Department of Interior and Local Government.     

“Was it an obstruction of justice because I asked if there was a warrant of arrest or search warrant since I didn’t know that they were conducting a buy-bust operation? Was it an obstruction of justice to ask if any drug was confiscated?” he said in Tagalog.

A police report stated that the group of Calachan included his wife Marilou, an alias Carding Calachan, “alias Bebang Calachan”, Teofilo Tabiga and Marilyn Santos, all of Barangay Sapang followed the arresting officers to the station.

The police report stated the group arrogantly questioned the legality of the arrest.

He questioned why two barangay tanods

 from the Poblacion were made as witnesses of the buy-bust operation and not anyone from Barangay Sapang where the police arrested Taligac.

A case for violation of Sec. 5 and 11 of Art. II of Republic Act 9165 drug selling and for drug use was filed against Taligac.

At presstime, Calachan said he has not received any subpoena from the court for his alleged case of obstruction of justice. (Leonardo Micua)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments