PNP urged to dump cops in drug ‘recycling’

DrugWatch has urged Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Leandro Mendoza to purge the police organization of rogue officers engaged in the drug "recycling" business as part of efforts to curb drug trafficking.

DrugWatch executive director Susan Ople cited the number of reports of alleged "recycling" activities of some policemen who seize illegal drugs through buy-bust operations only to sell them back to known drug users at market rates.

"We would like to push for legislation that would put policemen engaged in the shabu recycling business behind bars for life," she said while pointing out that drug-dealing cops remain a minority in the PNP.

DrugWatch, which is vying for party-list representation in the May elections to push for stronger laws against drug and alcohol abuse, noted that while there has been a slight increase in the resolution of cases based on the PNP’s 2000 figures, the overall conviction rate has yet to surpass the 10 percent mark.

"Compared to neighboring countries, particularly Singapore which has a 95 percent conviction rate, our record remains extremely low. This only means that white-washing of cases remains a problem," Ople said.