NCRPO to pursue raps vs 21 ‘shabu tiangge’ cops

Metro police chief director Geary Barias vowed yesterday to review the cases against 21 Pasig City policemen tagged by a government witness as protectors of alleged shabu “tiangge” operator Amin Imam Boratong.

“I will pursue the administrative cases against them. I will see to it that actions taken against them would reach a logical conclusion during my term,” Barias told The STAR.

During his term as head of the police Anti-Illegal Drugs and Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) in Camp Crame, Barias inquired about the status of the Boratong “protectors” who are reporting to the holding center of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO), except for Senior Superintendent Raul Medina, who is now assigned at the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

Two others, Police Officer 2 Ramil Along, who was among those accused of killing GMA 7 asset German Colisao, is in hiding while PO2 John Ocleda is behind bars for being absent without official leave and other cases.

Barias assumed command of the 15,000-strong NCRPO last Oct. 2.

The Metro police chief said he will review and pursue the cases against the 21 policemen, who were identified by government witness, Samer Palao, as on Boratong’s payroll.

Medina was the police chief of Pasig City when government agents raided the shabu “tiangge” on F. Soriano street in Sitio Mapayapa, Barangay Sto. Tomas on Feb. 10, 2005.

Boratong managed to elude arrest. However, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested him and his second wife, Sheryl Molera, early this year.

Boratong and Molera are now facing charges of maintenance of a drug den before the sala of Judge Abraham Borreta, of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 154.

Barias said he does not know why Medina was given an assignment at the QCPD when his other alleged Boratong protectors are at the holding center of the NCRPO.

“I will study the administrative cases filed against them because I wanted the cases be put to rest during my term,” said Barias.  – Non Alquitran