The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) denied the involvement of any PDEA agents or personnel in the robbery/hold-up that happened on May 12, 2011 at 11:15 am inside a San Agustin Bus Liner along Agujinaldo Highway, Barangay San Agustin in Dasmariñas City, Cavite.
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Jose S. Gutierrez, Jr. said that based on the investigation conducted by PDEA Regional Office 4A (PDEA RO 4A) in coordination with the Dasmariñas City Police Station, the incident was presumed to have been carried out by an organized robbery group operating in the region and Metro Manila.
In his report to Gutierrez, PDEA RO 4A Regional Director Emerson L. Margate said that a personnel check was made in their office to determine the whereabouts of all personnel during the time of the incident. Margate reported that a General Office Meeting was held on the date and time that the robbery took place. The meeting was attended by all officers and personnel of PDEA RO 4A except for one (1) agent who attended a court hearing and one (1) employee who was on vacation.
News reports in some tabloids alleged that six (6) men who introduced themselves as PDEA agents were behind the robbery/hold-up where more or less Php 9,000,000.00 (P9 million) worth of assorted foreign currency was taken by the perpetrators from three (3) employees of the JSY Money Changer, which is based in Robinson’s Place, Barangay Sampaloc, Dasmariñas City.
Gutierrez expressed gratitude to the Agency’s counterparts from the Dasmariñas police for helping PDEA RO 4A in verifying the incident. He added, the Agency does not tolerate any misdemeanors done by its officers and personnel and that there is also no room for unscrupulous personalities who introduce themselves as PDEA agents when they commit crimes. -30- Director Derrick Arnold C Carreon, Chief, Public Information Office
