AIDSOTF recommends relief of jail warden

The police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) recommended yesterday the relief of a jail warden at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City for allegedly allowing the continued drug dealing operation of a jailed member of a Chinese drug syndicate.

AIDSOTF commander Director Marcelo Ele Jr. said they would also ask Interior Undersecretary Marius Corpuz to conduct a parallel probe to determine whether Superintendent Edgar Bolcio, warden of the Metro Manila District Jail (MMDJ), could be held liable for gross negligence.

"I will recommend the relief of Boclio pending investigation on his culpability on the continued drug pushing activities of the jailed drug pusher," Ele said in an interview.

Suspected drug dealer Li Siu Chen is locked up at the MMDJ, one of three jails at Camp Bagong Diwa.

Superintendent Eduardo Acierto, AIDSOTF executive officer said Li was arrested several years ago for possession of 15 kilos of shabu.

Ele, a lawyer, explained that it was his understanding that any detainee would be stripped of personal belongings before being locked up.

The AIDSOTF chief is asking why Li was able to keep his cell phone, which he allegedly used in giving out orders for his drug pushing activities.

Ele said Chief Inspector Ismael Fajardo, deputy chief of AIDSOTF Special Operations Unit 3 (SOU3) was able to contact Li through his cell phone and arranged the purchase of 300 grams of shabu last July 15.

After several phone conversations, Li asked Fajardo for the plate number of his vehicle and told him to park near a church along Burgos street in Pasay.

At 2:15 p.m. of July 15, Maria Cristina Rodriguez and her 13-year-old sister approached the undercover agents.

The sisters were arrested after handing over 100 grams of shabu in exchange for P210,000.

Three hours later, Fajardo and his men parked their vehicle along Taylo street, also in Pasay.

This time, the shabu delivered by Li’s wife, Necel Rodriguez, 20, and her aunt, Erlinda Francisco, 40. They were arrested after handing over 200 grams in exchange for P420,000.

Two days later, the mother of the arrested sisters was arrested for allegedly offering a P200,000 bribe to the arresting officers in exchange for the release of the suspects.

Acierto said Li arranged the bribe attempt, also through his cell phone.

Ele said they want to find out who supplied Li the cell phone, which he used in his drug distribution activities while behind bars.