Tondo narcs probed

The chief of the Tondo Police Station 1 Drug Enforcement Unit and five of his men are now facing probe and possible dismissal from the service following the suspicious arrest and release of two suspected drug pushers in Pasay City last April 24.

Now facing an investigation by the General Assignments Section of the WPD are Senior Inspector Jessie Nitullano, chief of the Station Drug Enforcement Unit; and arresting officers Police Officer 3 Dan Firmalino, Police Officer 2 Andres de Guzman, Police Officer 2 Ferdinand Estrada, Police Officer 1 Marvin Zata and Police Officer 1 Edgardo Palabay.

According to investigation, the suspected drug pushers, a 17-year-old girl, a 14-year-old girl and a certain Jasan Ismael, 18, all of Cotabato City, were all arrested at about 5:30 p.m. at their residence at 2027 David Street, Leveriza, Pasay City, by elements of the WPD Station 1 SDEU led by Firmalino.

A report sent by Chief Inspector Marcelino Pedrozo, chief of the WPD-GAS to WPD chief Nicolas Pasinos, stated that the operation conducted for the arrest of the suspects allegedly violated several standard operating procedures.

Pedrozo said that though the arresting team coordinated with elements of the Pasay City Police, it nonetheless encroached on the jurisdiction of the Pasay City Police.

"The operation was not precipitated by a previous operation to warrant a follow-up operation but rather the operatives went there to conduct a buy-bust on the premise of a tip allegedly received over the phone," Pedrozo said.

Pedrozo added that the four plastic sachets allegedly containing the shabu were not even taken from the suspects’ possession but "from a distance" as disclosed by the arresting officers.

In addition, Pedrozo also questioned the suspicious release of the suspects by the arresting officers without inquest by a prosecutor.

As such, Pedrozo recommended the transfer of Nitullano and the members of the arresting team to the WPD District Headquarters Support Unit on "floating" status.

Pedrozo also called for an extensive investigator by the District Inspectorate Office of the entire incident to determine possible administrative liabilities of the accused officers.

Pedrozo asked Pasinos to place Superintendent Fernando Robles, WPD Station 1 commander under investigation for command responsibility over the suspicious operation.

For his part, Robles said the suspects were released after investigation. He also ordered the continuous monitoring of the suspects’ activities following their release with coordination with the Pasay City Police.