BAYBAY CITY — The Visayas State University (VSU) has aired concerns on alleged police operations inside its campus without proper coordination from the school administration following the recent buy-bust drug operation that resulted in the arrest of one of its employees.
In a statement posted on its official website on Saturday, 13 August, the VSU said that while legal proceedings against its employee will be left to the court and the parties involved, the university “is reviewing its next steps to ensure that inter-agency protocols are properly followed.”
“The administration is concerned that the university was not asked for permission, coordinated with, or at least informed about the operation,” the statement said.
“With operatives entering the university’s jurisdiction discreetly in civilian attire and some armed, a simple misunderstanding with our security officers (who are also issued with firearms) could have jeopardized the safety of people in the area with serious implications.”
The university administration confirmed that the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Leyte Provincial Police Office and the Baybay City Police conducted a buy-bust operation within its campus premises on 5 August 2022.
The operation led to the arrest of Soliver Gumaod, 37, an administrative aide at VSU main campus in this city. Authorities said Gumaod is listed as a high-value individual in the list of illegal drug personalities of the Police Regional Office-8.
Poseur buyer
The suspect was arrested after a police poseur buyer was able to purchase a heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu at the VSU Lower Campus. The authorities also recovered 30 more sachets of shabu with an estimated weight of 100 grams worth P700,000.
“The university stands ready anytime to support and cooperate with government agencies and authorities in fulfilling their mandates whenever it falls under the state university’s jurisdiction,” it stated.