Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, CG Admiral Artemio M Abu, has warned fellow Coast Guardians on illegal drug use and operations.

This after the apprehension of 32-year-old CG Seaman First Class (SN1) Bernabe Cosme Delin Jr who was found possessing five sachets of white crystalline substance suspected as “shabu” during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Cabatangan, Zamboanga City, on Saturday, 07 January 2023.

He was arrested together with 53-year-old Gilbert Johnston and 32-year-old Edgar Maghinay.

The law enforcement team also seized the illegal goods with an estimated market value of Php 11,628.

If proven guilty, CG SN1 Delin Jr will be dismissed from the Coast Guard service.

Aside from conducting an admin investigation regarding the said incident, the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao is also planning random drug tests among Coast Guard personnel to ensure that they maintain the highest level of integrity, professionalism, and excellence in delivering public service.

“Magsilbing aral ang insidenteng ito sa mga kapwa ko Coast Guardians na pahalagahan ang ating sinumpaang tungkulin sa bayan. Kaisa tayo ng gobyerno sa pakikipaglaban sa operasyon ng iligal na droga kaya kung sinuman ang mahuhuling sangkot dito, anuman ang posisyon o ranggo, ay tatanggalin sa serbisyo…,” ani CG Admiral Abu.

“… dahil ang kailangan ng Philippine Coast Guard ay mga lingkod bayan na tapat sa bansa at kapwa Pilipino,” pagtatapos niya.