CIDG conducts administrative investigation into seven personnel charged with illegal firearms and explosives

DAVAO CITY — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is conducting an administrative investigation involving seven personnel from Sultan Kudarat who are facing charges for stockpiling undocumented firearms and explosives.

CIDG Director Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III stated, “We are now conducting an administrative investigation. If we determine their liability, they will face dismissal from service,” in an interview with Newsline.

On Sunday, October 13, personnel from the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police Office arrested seven of the ten suspected individuals, which included Police Staff Sergeant Mark Lester Cabangan and his subordinates: Patrolmen Dagie Peligro, Rex Borlagdatan, Joevin Aven, Arjoe Gamino, Joven Pasaylo, and Raymark Ortega. They are currently detained.

The arrests were made based on warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 19 in Tacurong City.

“Actually, there were ten of them, but three surrendered today,” Torre added, noting that the personnel who turned themselves in include two CIDG officers, a major who was once a provincial commander and a captain.

Col. Bernardo Lao, Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police Director, explained that the criminal case against them originated from a CIDG operation in Sultan Kudarat that went awry. It involved twelve individuals “Ten policemen and two civilians.”

“That is an old case involving an operation earlier dismissed but the accused filed a countercharge,” Lao explained.

Torre who assumed the national post on September 26 said that internal cleansing efforts are ongoing throughout the organization, stating, “I received directives from Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil to clean the CIDG of scalawags.”

He is known for his successful operations, including a recent 16-day mission involving Apollo Quiboloy and his co-accused. “The directive is clear, and I must get things done,” Torre concluded.