67 ‘narco-cops’ to be sent to Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - Sixty-seven police officers linked to the illegal drug trade will be transferred to Mindanao, an official has said.

Chief Superintendent Oscar Albayalde, National Capital Regional Police Office director, said these police officers continue with their illegal activities despite the administration’s relentless war against illegal drugs.

Albayalde said one of the police officers was arrested after allegedly mulcting P300,000 from the relatives of a suspected drug user. The policeman is reportedly working in connivance with eight other police officers.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa earlier transferred 108 so-called “ninja cops” to Mindanao. The police officers were involved in drug peddling and recycling of illegal drugs seized in police operations.

“Ninja cops are among our priorities. It seems they will not surrender so we will get them one by one. We already know them…Your days are numbered. We will come and get you,” said Senior Superintendent Albert Ignatius Ferro, chief of the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group.

2 drug suspects slain

Meanwhile, two more suspected drug pushers have been killed while six others were arrested in Ilocos Sur and Cagayan.

Eisenhower Deocareza, alias Totoy Bato, was shot dead near a public market in Sinait, Ilocos Sur yesterday.

Police said Deocareza surrendered under Oplan Tokhang recently.

Rogie Sibayan, 40, another drug surrenderee, died in a shootout with police during a sting in Barangay Pinili in Abulig, Cagayan on Friday.

Serna said Sibayan refused to pull over at a checkpoint and engaged policemen in a shootout.

He said the fatality was also an alleged jueteng bet collector.

A caliber .45 pistol, a sachet of shabu and jueteng stubs were reportedly recovered from the suspect.

6 nabbed

In Pampanga, Adrian Algaba, 23, a resident of Barangay Capaya 2nd; Jerome Cadag, 37, of Barangay Lourdes, both in Angeles City, and Jerwin Garcia, 37, of Barangay Sta. Lucia in  Magalang, Pampanga were arrested in drug stings on Friday.

In Pangasinan, tricycle drivers Francis Kenneth Carolino, 32; Cristopher Joven, 28 and a man who has yet to be identified were arrested in  Barangay Luciente 1 in Bolinao town also on Friday.

Police said Carolino was ranked 10th on the drug watchlist of the town.

Senior Superintendent Ronald Lee, Pangasinan police director, said 22 persons have been arrested in stings in the first district of the province since Sept. 26.

Lee said 47 sachets of shabu, six guns, two hand grenades and assorted ammunition were seized from the suspects.

In Northern Mindanao, the Iligan City police received an award for being the top performer in the campaign against illegal drugs.

Senior Superintendent Leonie Roy Ga said they have confiscated three kilos of shabu and listed 4,000 drug dependents since July 1. – With Raymund Catindig, Ric Sapnu, Eva Visperas, Lino de la Cruz