Police chief, 5 others suspended over ‘tanim-droga’

MANILA, Philippines - A station commander and five other police officers of the La Loma police station in Quezon City were relieved from their posts to ensure a fair investigation on the “tanim-droga” claims of a detained drug suspect they arrested late last year.

Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar, Quezon City Police District director, identified those suspended as La Loma police chief Superintendent Tomas Nunez, Senior Inspector Felipe Tumibay who heads the station’s drug enforcement unit, and Police Officers 1 Allen Camangon, Mico Amurao, Alvin Forilan and Jesson Valenzuela.

Nunez defended his men, saying the Dec. 22 sting against suspected illegal drug traders Christina Flores and Michael Ortiz was legitimate. Both tested positive for illegal drug use, Nuñez said.

But Eleazar said “there was compelling circumstantial evidence” that prompted his office to investigate the allegations. He declined to give more details. 

“Even if the drug suspects were listed personalities, their arrests should be clean and not made of magic,” Eleazar added.

He assured the suspended officers of due process, noting that the allegations could have also been made just to cloud the operation and have the criminal charges against Flores and Ortiz dismissed.

Meanwhile, a drug bust led to the death of an alleged pusher in Novaliches, Quezon City on Wednesday.

Investigators said Norman Aquino, 33, was killed in a shootout with policemen who raided a compound along Urcia street in Barangay Bagbag. Aquino allegedly fired his gun after sensing that he was dealing with an undercover policeman.

Police allegedly recovered a caliber .45 pistol, seven sachets of shabu and P4,000 in marked money at the scene. 

Some witnesses also tagged Aquino in the shooting of Nixon Sagun in a taxi last February. This is still being verified by police.