100 cops in Central Luzon under probe vs illegal drugs

The Philippine National Police (PNP). (Photo from PNP’s official Facebook page)

MANILA—Around 100 police designated in Central Luzon are now under investigation for allegedly have links to illegal drugs trade.

Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon regional police director, on Friday said that most these police personnel were detailed in Bulacan and Pampanga and will be re-assigned in other regions but continues to monitor them.

”Gagawa po kami ng report. Titingnan ko po mga record ng pulis (then) filan (file) ng administrative case (if found guilty). I-assign po sila sa ibang lugar for the meantime at pamomonitor ko po lahat po ng mga kapulisan natin. Tutukuyin rin kung may kasabawat na mga sibilyan,” Aquino said in a radio interview.

When asked to comment on a policeman found dead in Bulacan with strap sign “Pulis na pusher ’wag tularan (This policeman is a pusher. Do not emulate),” Aquino said the said police personnel was one of the three policemen found positive in drug test during drug testing for police officers.

The police identified as PO3 Michael Lee Manalad of the Malolos police was found dead on Thursday morning in the City of Meycauayan.

”Actually, tatlo nagpositive sa atin sa drug test for the past one week — isa pong major, isang PO1 at yung namatay kahapon isa po yun sa 3 na nagpositive sa drug test. Sa aming CIU (Crime Investigating Unit) report pati sa intelligence group po namin ay may report na involved siya sa drugs,” he explained.

During the 69th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte publicly tagged five police generals allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

These were retired General Marcelo Garbo and retired General Vicente Loot, now mayor of Daanbatayan; and three active police generals namely: Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 Director Chief Supt. Bernardo Diaz, former National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Police Director Joel Pagdilao, and former Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Edgardo Tinio.

PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Dela Rosa said the three generals wanted to clear their names and assured him that they will fully cooperate with any investigation.

The PNP chief said he already forwarded the case of the three generals to the National Police Commission (Napolcom) for investigation.

Dela Rosa said despite the alleged involvement of these generals in illegal drugs, the morale of the PNP remain very high adding that they consider the incident as morale booster.

“Ito’y pagsubok lamang, lilipas din ito, high morale kami,” he said.