A PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) personnel assigned to the Southeastern Mindanao headquarters is facing dismissal after being caught in a joint anti-drug operation in Barangay Sasa on April 23.
The suspect, identified by the PCG as Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) Edgardo Lugto, was apprehended by a multi-agency team that included PCG intelligence operatives, PDEA Region XI, and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) XI.
Authorities recovered approximately 12 grams of suspected shabu from PO3 Lugto, with an estimated street value of up to ₱81,600, along with various drug paraphernalia.
Lugto was reportedly assigned to the Human Resource Management Unit of Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao.
His arrest followed a separate operation in Cebu City on April 22, where another PCG member, Apprentice Seaman (ASN) Neil Vincent Dandan Panugaling, was caught in a buy-bust operation that dismantled a suspected drug den.
Zero tolerance policy
PCG commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan, has ordered the immediate preventive suspension of both personnel to pave the way for an impartial investigation.
“Let this serve as a clear warning to all PCG officers and personnel: the Command will not tolerate involvement in illegal activities or any act that undermines the integrity of the service,” Admiral Gavan said.
PCG Spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab emphasized that the agency is fully cooperating with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and other law enforcement bodies.
She noted that the PCG “does not shield its personnel from accountability.”
If proven guilty, both Lugto and Panugaling face criminal charges and administrative sanctions, which include dishonorable dismissal from the service and the forfeiture of all benefits.
The Davao operation involved a coordinated effort between the PCG, PDEA XI, the Maritime Safety and Law Enforcement Command-Southeastern Mindanao, the Department of Justice, and officials from Barangay Sasa.
