Republic of the Philippines

Office of the President

PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
Regional Office VIII
Government Center, Brgy. Candahug Palo, Leyte
Cellphone No. 0998-566-4024, 0917-132-3873 Tel. No. (053) 832-5072
pdea.gov.ph PDEA Top Stories PDEA@PdeaTopStories pdeatopstories
pdea8pos@yahoo.com, pdea8@yahoo.com pdeaotso

July 4, 2020

PBGEN BERNABE M. BALBA

Regional Director
Philippine National Police
Regional Office No. VIII
Camp Ruperto Kangleon
Brgy. Campetic, Palo, Leyte

SUBJECT: LETTER-COMPLAINT AGAINST PCPL SAMMUEL LAURENTE

SIR:

GREETINGS!

At the outset, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office
VIII through the undersigned would like to extend its commendation to the
Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Unit (PNP-DEU) for a successful
PDEA-PNP joint anti-drug operation conducted last July 3, 2020 which resulted
to the arrest of one CESAR V. BERGULA, a Municipal Councilor of Babatngon,
Leyte.

The said anti-drug operation was reported in the media and was particularly
posted by DYVL Aksyon Radyo in its Facebook page. Naturally, said FB post by
DYVL Aksyon Radyo elicited different reactions and comments.

To our shock and dismay, one particular comment that caught our attention
was from a police officer using a Facebook account/profile name SAMM
LAUREN wherein such comment expressed disgust and hurled libelous remarks
with malicious intent to discredit or dishonor the Agency, some of its comments
were hereunder quoted, to wit:

“Hello PDEA Keanu waray niyo tuguti an mga tawo nga

nakakita mag video? Kay masasabtan nga gin planteran niyo hin
shabu an shorts pagpahubo niyo? Tas an marked money nga iyu
ginyayakan, marked money bisan tikang han halin han karne?
Transparency PDEA. Pagrelease kamo han video han pagdakop
niyo para masabtan na tuod na may shabu an bursa han shorts.
(Hello PDEA why is it that you didn’t allow the people to get a
video? Is it because it will be known that you have planted the
shabu on his shorts when you asked him to take it off? What about
the alleged marked money, it was from his proceeds in selling
meat? Transparency PDEA. Release a video during your
operations to know the truth that there was indeed shabu in the
shorts).
 If waray kamo ma produce, waray na gud CREDIBILITY
it iyu agency. Kami na mga police basta police opration dapat may
video. An iyo hain man? Yana natuod na ak na urog hit iyo
operation Best in Planting Evidence” (If you cannot produce, your
Agency has no credibility. We policemen have videos when
conducting an operation. What about you? Now I believe that most
of your operations (were) Best in Planting Evidence).

He went further by saying:

“Jacky T. Belches amo na. PDEA best in planting

evidence para #accomplishment (Jacky T. Belches indeed. PDEA
best in planting evidence for #accomplishment.)

Uhaw ha accomplishment mga sir? Video dayon. Para

masabtan na tuod na nakadto gud han bursa han shorts an
shabu.” (Thirsty for accomplishment sir? Produce a video so that
the truth will be known that the shabu was indeed in the pocket of
the shorts.)

Notwithstanding the lack of personal knowledge and the paucity of details on

what really took place during the said anti-illegal drug operations, he further
seethed saying:

“Ohhh. PDEA, eyes here. Keanu kailangan agawon an CP kun

may nag vivideo? Hahahahaha. Clowns. Hahahaha. Hulat la.
Karma is around the corner. We will assure you that.” (Ohhhh.
PDEA eyes here. Why do you have to grab the CP when
somebody attempted to get a video? Hahahahaha. Clowns.
Hahahaha. Wait. Karma is around the corner. We will assure you
that.)

“Cyrix Jane Mendez sorry kay I am againt (sic) han ginhimo han
pdea. Basaha tak comment. Kay uncle ko ito na ira gin planteran.
Keanu ginsaway nira an mga tawo nga na video? Keanu han pag
kapkap ha iya. Wa pa shabun (sic) keanu han gn pa hubo na. tas
pag sul.ot mayda naman shabu? Hahaha. Credibility ba kuno? Diin
dapit? Hahahaha. Clowns.” (Cryrix Jane Mendes sorry coz I am
against what pdea had done. Read my comment. That was my
uncle that they have planted evidence against. Why did they stop
the people who attempted to get a video. Why is it that during their
frisk/search on him they found no shabu, why is it when he took off
(the shorts) and wear it again there was already shabu. Hahaha.
Talking credibility? Which part? Hahahaha. Clowns.)

Translation and underscoring supplied.

(Attached herewith are screenshots of the comments made by
Laurente for easy reference)

Apparently, the above-quoted comments posted by Laurente was uncalled for

and malicious with the intent of injuring and exposing the Agency to public
hatred, contempt and ridicule.

The image of a member of PNP is necessarily mirrored in the conduct, official or

otherwise, of the men and women therein, from the highest ranks to the least
and lowest of its personnel. Hence, it becomes the imperative and sacred duty of
each and everyone in the PNP to maintain its good name and standing as a true
temple of integrity.

We understand the outburst of feelings of Laurente, he being a relative to the

arrested suspect, nevertheless, lest he forget that the conduct of PNP personnel
must be, and also perceived to be, free from any whiff of impropriety, with
respect not only to his duties in the PNP but also in his behaviors outside PNP.
Laurente’s, behaviour and actuations, being a police officer, must be
characterized by propriety and decorum and should at all times embody the core
Filipino values of “3Ms” (Malinis, MAGALANG and Maasahan). It is expected of
Laurente-a police officer to exemplify prudence, restraint, courtesy and dignity.
Simply put, Laurente must always conduct himself in a manner worthy of
the public’s respect for a police officer. This, he sadly falls short.

Based on the comments, as well as to all his replies to other comments,

Laurente’s accusations hurled against PDEA as “best in planting evidence” and
“uhaw sa accomplishments” were out of hand and very personal, if not
downright childish. This behavior and conduct have no place in the government
service, more so in an agency tasked to enforce the law. What he had exhibited
is indicative of utter lack of concern not only for his comrades- who was also
part of that July 3, 2020 anti-illegal drug operation against Bergula- but more
so for the PDEA as well.

Needless to state, it is highly reprehensible for any PNP personnel to engage in a

personal confrontation, particularly hurling baseless accusations against
another law enforcement agency-PDEA in this case-where professionalism, order
and discipline among the ranks are expected.

Indubitably, Laurente’s utterances with the object of destroying the Agency’s

credibility/reputation, discrediting and ridiculing the PDEA before the bar of
public opinion are acts or behaviour of a PNP member in an unofficial or private
capacity which, while dishonoring or disgracing himself personally as a
gentleman, seriously compromises his position as a PNP member that would call
for an exercise of disciplinary action against him.

The Agency cannot close its eyes to this malicious and groundless accusation.
This is not just another event that should pass unnoticed for it has implications
far beyond the allocated ramparts of free speech. To allow Laurente to use the
freedom of speech as an excuse to capriciously disparage the reputation of PDEA
would be to make a mockery of this liberty.

To reiterate we vehemently condemn such unfounded and irresponsible

statements maliciously made by Laurente because it damages the good name of
PDEA-the very institution we are bound to uphold its integrity.

Accordingly, the Agency through the undersigned earnestly requests that an

appropriate administrative case be filed against Police Corporal SAMMUEL
LAURENTE currently assigned at Regional Training Center, Kankabato Bay, San
Jose, Tacloban City, where he may be served summons, orders and other
processes.

Further, the Agency humbly requests that this office be furnished with
correspondence/updates as the case progresses.
Lastly, the Agency firmly believes that a public apology from Laurente rectifying
his statements and clearing the good name of PDEA likewise to be posted in his
social media account is just and proper.

We hope for a favorable and prompt action on this matter!

Thank you very much.

Sincerely yours,

DIR. GILBERT V. BUENAFE, RCrim, MMPA

Regional Director

C.C.

PCOL EDWIN BUENAVENTURA C. WAGAN

Deputy Regional Director for Operations
PNP-Regional Office VIII
Camp Ruperto Kangleon
Brgy. Campetic, Palo, Leyte

PLTCOL MARLON D. PAISTE

Regional Training Director
Regional Training Center
San Jose, Tacloban City

PCOL JESSE E. PEREZ

Regional Internal Affairs Service
Camp Ruperto Kangleon
Brgy. Campetic, Palo, Leyte

ATTY. JOHNSON G. REYES

Regional Director
National Police Commission
Regional Office VIII
Tacloban City

DIR. KARL R. RIMANDO

Regional Director
Department of Interior and Local Government
Regional Office VIII
Tacloban City