POLICE authorities on Saturday, April 26, arrested Police Staff Sgt. Arman Tagolimot during a joint operation led by Bulua Police Station in Barangay Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City.

Tagolimot, who had been absent without official leave (AWOL) from duty, was caught with 10 grams of alleged shabu valued at around P60,000. Seized from his possession were a .45 caliber pistol, a .22 caliber revolver, a magazine, 30 rounds of ammunition, and a hand grenade.

According to Police Maj. Reynaldo Galvan Jr., chief of Bulua Police Station, Tagolimot is also the alleged suspect in the killing of Cogon Police Chief Abdulcahar Armama, who was shot dead at his residence on Oct. 5, 2024.

“Kaning atong suspect noted na ni nga nalambigit pud sa ubang kaso, especially shooting incidents,” Galvan said.

He described Tagolimot as “armed and dangerous” and said authorities had been monitoring him for a considerable period.

NABBED. Police arrest AWOL officer Staff Sgt. Arman Tagolimot on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Cagayan de Oro City for alleged violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165). Authorities also recovered illegal firearms, a grenade, and drug paraphernalia from his possession. Tagolimot is also the alleged suspect in the killing of Cogon Police Chief Abdulcahar Armama, who was shot dead at his residence last year. Photo by Shiela Mae Butlig

Meanwhile, Tagolimot denied all allegations, claiming the evidence found during his arrest was planted.

“Sa akong pag serbisyo sa gobyerno, mao ni akong naabtan,” Tagolimot said, expressing dismay after 25 years in police service.

He also denied involvement in Armama’s killing, explaining he was merely in the area because his brother had allowed him to stay at his boarding house nearby.

“Boarding house man to sa akong manghud, didto man ko nya gipapuyo,” he said.

Tagolimot challenged authorities to present concrete evidence linking him to the crime.

“Ipagawas nila ilang ebidensya kung tinood mangyud na,” he said.

Galvan, however, dismissed Tagolimot’s claims, saying they were typical of suspects trying to deny involvement.

“Pirmi na ‘ta makadungog ana sa mga kriminal. Naa man mo (referring to media), dili pud sya makaingon nga amoa rapud ning butang-butang,” Galvan said.

He added that Tagolimot appeared “surprised and overwhelmed” during the arrest.

Prior to this, Tagolimot already faced a pending case under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, after a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 10 buy-bust operation in Sihayon, Tagoloan, last year. He managed to escape and went AWOL afterward.

Tagolimot is currently detained and is not eligible for bail due to the explosives found in his possession.

He previously served at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Police Office.