CPD drug enforcers sacked

Following numerous allegations of extortion activities, the head of the Quezon City police Drug Enforcement Unit and his entire team were sacked yesterday by Central Police District director Senior Superintendent Napoleon Castro.

Castro said he immediately relieved DEU chief Superintendent Allan Parreno and 24 of his men after they allegedly tried to extort cash from an arrested suspect in exchange for his freedom.

Sources said this is only the latest in a wave of accusations made against DEU agents. Investigators said they have received several complaints of similar nature from other people .

Reports showed that Alfredo Ramoy, 34, and his wife Ruby, 42, both residents of Barangay Sangandaan, Project 8, were arrested Monday night at about 10 p.m. by Parreno’s men for possession of suspected shabu.

Ramoy claimed that DEU agents promised to drop the charges against them if they coughed up P100,000.

Ramoy, who knew Castro’s son, Napoleon Jr., went over to his friend’s house to borrow the money. When asked what it was for, Ramoy told the young Castro the truth.

When the CPD chief learned about the extortion attempt, he paid a surprise visit to the DEU office in Camp Karingal. Castro was surprised to find out that there was not a single piece of confiscated evidence from any of the team’s drug-bust operations.

"I have been receiving a lot of complaints against Parreno and his men. That is why when my son told me about their latest activity, I felt enough was enough," Castro said.

While Parreno could not be reached for his comment, some of the sacked DEU agents expressed alarm and surprise when they heard Castro’s directive. Administrative charges are now being readied against them.

Special Project Unit Chief Superintendent Richard Albano will temporarily head the DEU office. – Matthew Estabillo