Valenzuela sub-station chief sacked over shabu den raid

MANILA, Philippines - A Valenzuela City police sub-station commander was relieved from his post yesterday following a raid Wednesday on an alleged drug den in Barangay Marulas that resulted in the arrest of seven people reportedly engaging in a shabu session.

Northern Police District director Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr., said he ordered the relief of Police Community Precinct-3 head Chief Inspector Carlos Simbol “in line with the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s one-strike policy.”

Pagdilao also directed the Valenzuela City police Station Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group to explain in writing why they failed to address the endemic drug problem in their area.

Pagdilao said when another law enforcement unit uncovers an illegal drug laboratory, drug den or a warehouse that contains drug-making materials or “widespread incidents” of drug trafficking or abuse in a certain area, the head of the police unit that has jurisdiction over the place “shall be immediately relieved.”

He said that Simbol would be investigated for possible negligence and could face administrative sanctions.