Fireman, alleged shabu user, arrested in Oriental Mindoro

CALAPAN CITY – Instead of hose, which is usually being used to stop fire, a fireman is now stroking the cold bars of a detention cell after he was caught with shabu in his possession by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in buy-bust operation last Monday (May 21) in Pinamalayan town in Oriental Mindoro.

In an official police report by Supt. Jonathan Paguio, chief of Pinamalayan PNP, to Oriental Mindoro Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Anthony Alcañeces, the suspect was identified as Fire Officer 1 Gilbert Caringal, 33, married, resident of Brgy. Guinhawa, said town, and an active member of Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) there.

According to Lt. Col. Paguio, the buy-bust operation was hatched against FO1 Caringal at about 2:30 PM of May 21 in the area between Bonifacio and Madrid Streets in Pinamalayan after informants tipped of the said suspect’s activity.

When a police asset handed over to Caringal the “marked money,” the suspect was immediately collared and arrested by intelligence operatives composed of SPO4 Ruelito Magtibay, SPO2 Gil Gubot, SPO1 Tad Ferrancullo and other members of Pinamalayan PNP.

During the interrogation at the police station, the arrested fireman readily admitted he was a drug user but denied peddling the prohibited shabu powder.

The police official stated Caringal is long being watched by their office.

A criminal case is now being filed against the suspect for violating Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002, as Caringal ios now being detained at the Pinamalayan police jail. (By JUANCHO R. MAHUSAY)