QUIRINO - A 37-year-old public school teacher was arrested in a buy-bust operation inside Bannawag Sur Integrated School in Diffun town, Quirino.

The suspect was identified as Malmore Nagtalon, a resident of Saguday and a junior high school teacher of the school.

According to Diffun Police Chief Inspector Maciste Extor Serrano, the suspect refused to surrender after he was asked to do so twice.

"Since he is newly identified sa drug watchlist, [Oplan] tinokhang ng Saguday Police Station twice, but he refused to avail this project by the government," he said.

Confiscated from Nagtalon were three sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and P1,000 buy-bust money.

Nagtalon neither denied nor admitted the accusations against him, saying he is ready to face the complaints filed against him.

According to Bannawag Sur Integrated School Principal Erlito Madriaga, Nagtalon never showed any suspicious or strange behavior. He assured the police that the school will cooperate in the investigation.

"Kung ano po ang hatol ng hukuman, igagalang po naming," he added.

Nagtalon is under the custody of Diffun Police Station and is facing raps under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.