THE Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday, October 3, said it is preparing the suspension and dismissal papers of Guia Gomez Castro, a former barangay official who is allegedly tied to illegal drugs. 

“Since technically she is a barangay official, the DILG is now preparing for her suspension and dismissal kasi (because) she took her oath,” said DILG spokesman and Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya told reporters at Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City.

He added that administrative complaints, including grave neglect of duty or grave misconduct, will be filed against Castro.

“Either grave neglect of duty or grave misconduct so that can lead to dismissal of service. We can file as many cases against her because she is involved in illegal drugs,” Malaya said.

Castro, barangay captain of Barangay 484 Zone 48 in Sampaloc, Manila, is accused of buying and distributing illegal drugs from “ninja cops,” or officers who recycle confiscated drugs.

She left the country last September 21 on a flight to Bangkok, Thailand and then flew to Taiwan and then to the U.S. on September 25.

Castro is currently under absent without official leave (AWOL) status after filing a leave of absence from April 25 to June 25 this year during then Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s term, according to Malaya.