PDEA set up 'illegal checkpoint' in Binondo - NCRPO

MANILA, Philippines - National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) commander Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales lashed out at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) yesterday for setting up an “illegal and improper” checkpoint at the Jones bridge in Binondo, Manila Wednesday night.

Rosales told The STAR he watched a television program air a footage of PDEA agents arresting two Chinese nationals. The agents were not in proper uniform and bore long firearms and bandoliers.

“There was no marked vehicle and police official around, a violation of the PNP rules on setting up of checkpoints. There was also no coordination with the police in the area. It was illegal,” Rosales said.

He said criminal syndicates could imitate the PDEA’s improper checkpoint setup, but clarified that he is not prohibiting PDEA from setting up checkpoints, but that they should abide by standard operating procedures of the Philippine National Police. He said he will confer with PDEA chief Dionisio Santiago.

The STAR tried but failed to contact Santiago for comment.

Police said PDEA agents, led by Carlos Gadapan, set up a checkpoint at the northbound lane of Jones bridge at past midnight reportedly to intercept a drug shipment that was to pass through the bridge. Selected members of media men were invited to witness the operation.

PDEA agents flagged down a white Honda Civic (XTA-877) that tried to pass through the bridge. They alleged that the occupants of the vehicle, Zhen Li, 37, and Sun Shimin, 40, both Chinese nationals and residents of Binondo, were drunk and tried to attack them.

During the commotion, Meisic police station chief Superintendnt Nelson Yabut, who passed by the bridge on his way home, noticed the commotion. He told PDEA agents to turn over the two men to the police station, but the agents insisted on bringing the Chinese nationals to their office.

The arrival of a mobile crew from the Manila Police District compelled PDEA agents to bring the Chinese to the police station, according to a police report. PDEA agents executed an affidavit of apprehension against the Chinese for driving under the influence of liquor and direct assault.

The Binondo Chinese community has denounced the arrest by the PDEA agents as a “fishing expedition.”