720 held, 62 firearms seized in Baseco raid

MANILA, Philippines — At least 720 persons were rounded up in a police “saturation drive” at the Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila on Sunday.

The Manila Police District (MPD) reported that at least 62 assorted firearms, two rifle grenades, two hand grenades, 15 bladed weapons ranging from fan knives to bolos, and 158 bullets were recovered during the six-hour operation.

The firearms and ammunition would be enough for a small army, said a police official who requested anonymity.

The MPD also recovered 50 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, eight video karera machines and 70 motorcycles.

At least 21 persons were arrested for possession of illegal drugs and 25 were booked for violation of various city ordinances.

Three men, all still unidentified as of press time, were killed in separate encounters – one in Aplaya, another in Block 6 and another in Parola – with officers from MPD Stations 1, 8 and 11, respectively.

Led by MPD deputy director for administration Col. Antonio Yarra, 2,000 police officers gathered at the Quirino Grandstand at around noon for a pre-operations briefing before proceeding to Baseco Compound, which the MPD described as a known haven of criminals.

Some of those rounded up were sitting in front of their homes, walking on the street or out in public without shirts. They were allowed to go home after their identities were verified, the MPD said.

Prior to the raid, Mayor Isko Moreno ordered the MPD to “once and for all rid the area of illegal drugs and other shady characters to make it peaceful and drug-free.”

The police officers came from the MPD headquarters and its 11 stations, more than 40 precincts and units such as explosives and ordnance, special weapons and tactics, public safety, special operations, intelligence, drug enforcement and Special Mayor’s Reaction Team (SmaRT).

The MPD divided the compound into 11 sectors and targeted persons with warrants and those on the police drug watchlist.

Members of SmaRT, led by Maj. Rosalino Ibay Jr., guarded the lone entrance to the compound and ordered the demolition of a barangay post reportedly used by Barangay 649, Zone 68 watchmen as a “tollgate” to extort money from tricycle drivers.

Yarra said the police held a dialogue with all stakeholders, including church and barangay leaders, after the operation.