Caloocan drug pushers holding boodle fights?

MANILA, Philippines — Drug pushers have been holding boodle fights in Caloocan to celebrate the relief of the entire city police force following the killing of minors in the city, a senior police official said.

In an interview over the weekend, Chief Inspector Ilustre Mendoza, city police deputy chief for administration, said he has received reports drug pushers in North Caloocan treated residents to boodle fights to celebrate the revamp.

 “They are pleased because they know the cops who recognize them have been relieved,” Mendoza said.

He lamented that drug pushers have returned to the area after fleeing the police anti-illegal drugs operations that left scores dead, including 17-year-old Kian delos Santos, whom the police accused of being a drug peddler.

The killing of Kian, who was last seen alive in police custody, as well as that of Carl Angelo Arnaiz, who was accused of robbing a taxi driver, resulted in the major revamp of the Caloocan city police.

The police officers were relieved and sent to Camp Bagong Diwa for retraining.

Mendoza said he considered it an insult that pushers are celebrating the relief of Caloocan City police officers.

He earlier said it was “unfair” Caloocan City was dubbed a “killing field” and the lawmen have been blamed for the killings of minors.

For his part, Caloocan City police chief Senior Superintendent Jemar Modequillo said the station would focus on its discipline drive to rid the streets of drunkards and half-naked men in public places, now that the police would no longer implement anti-drug operations.