Some cops might be in illegal drugs trade

CEBU, Philippines - Policemen who are involved in the illegal drugs trade may exist in the provincial police force, Provincial Police Director Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador said yesterday.

Comendador confirmed that they have been monitoring policemen in the province who are allegedly involved in illegal drug activities. The CPPO are now building a case against them, but the names are being withheld pending investigation.

“Intelligence information on how many are they and who they are remain confidential but we have to be careful in filing charges and look for concrete evidence,” Comendador said.

He added he would not think twice in kicking out of CPPO those proven to be involved in the illegal drugs trade either protecting drug users or using illegal drugs themselves. 

Last week, three members of the Cebu City Police Office were tagged as protectors of a drug lord in Barangay Duljo Fatima, Cebu City. As a result, the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division-7 recommended that the three cops be transferred to Mindanao so as not to tarnish the image of the PNP in Central Visayas.

The names of three policemen are withheld pending statements from the aggrieved parties.

Investigation revealed that the three policemen have been accompanying the said drug lord in his illegal activities, but the three have denied the same.

Comendador said policemen were lured by money. He then wants those who will handle the investigation to be policemen of clean record.

“Ang mu-handle sa investigation, kung dunay involved nga drugs, kadto gyu’ng dunay clean heart and mind,” he said.

Last September, a town policeman was charged for grave misconduct after being found positive of illegal drugs during a random drug test in Asturias town.

PO1 Ismael Modapil, assigned at the Asturias Police Station, was found positive of drugs during the screening and confirmatory test subsequently conducted at the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory 7 in Camp Sotero Cabahug.

During the pre-charge evaluation conducted, it was established that there was probable cause to warrant the investigation against Modapil.

Meanwhile, a policewoman who was formerly assigned at the Tuburan Police Station, was also found positive of drugs during the random drug test last August. She was relieved at the Women’s and Children’s Protection Desk of the same headquarters.  (FREEMAN)