Two personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are now facing dismissal from the service after they were caught in a buy-bust in Zamboanga City last week.
In a statement issued on Monday, May 17, PCG said it is set to file an administrative case against two of its men with the ranks of Petty Officer First Class (PO1) and Petty Officer Second Class (PO2).
The two were collared along with a teacher on Saturday, May 15. Seized from them were P200,000 worth of shabu.
PCG Commandant Admiral George Ursabia Jr. denounced the what his two men did.
“I have been repeatedly urging our men and women to live up the ideals of genuine PCG – patriotism, compassion, and fear of God. I compel fellow senior PCG officers and personnel to shepherd their subordinates towards serving with humility and compassion, and evidently, two of our senior PCG personnel’s alleged involvement in illegal drug activities is a clear dereliction of duty,” Ursabia said in a statement.
Ursabia said if they were proven guilty, the involved senior Coast Guard personnel will be “dishonorably discharged” from the humanitarian armed service.
He urged the public to report PCG personnel and other public servants who are involved in this “felonious” act to the authorities.
“We strongly condemn drug-related offenses and assure you that offenders in the organization will face the consequences of their actions,” the commandant said.