Pubdate: Wed, 28 Aug 2002
Source: Sunstar Pampanga (Philippines)
Copyright: 2002 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2252
Note:  also listed as a contact
Author: Ria Isidro-de Fiesta

TWO COPS, 8 OTHERS NABBED FOR DRUG USE

CENTRAL Luzon authorities Tuesday said they have busted the dreaded 
Soyangco Gang, a drug trafficking syndicate operating in the region 
following the arrest of two policemen and eight civilians during separate 
operations recently.

Chief Supt. Oscar Calderon, Central Luzon police director, identified the 
policemen as SPO1 Oscar Imperial, detailed at the defunct Police Narcotics 
Group and PO3 Francisco Villaruz of the 303rd Bataan Provincial Mobile Group.

According to Calderon, Imperial has gone AWOL since last year and was 
tagged as the protector of drug rings in Olongapo City.

Villaruz, meanwhile, was found positive of shabu in violation of the 
existing policy of the PNP, according to Calderon.

Calderon added that the arrest of the two policemen is part of the PNP's 
campaign against erring members of the organization.

"These are just two members of the so-called PNP scalawags. Right now, our 
main concern is our fight against illegal drugs, and we will not spare 
anyone kahit na sila ay members of the PNP," Calderon said during a press 
conference Tuesday.

Calderon said Villaruz was subjected to further drug tests at the crime 
laboratory here and was found positive of drug use. Administrative and 
criminal charges had already been filed in court against him, Calderon said.

Imperial, on the other hand, was caught sniffing shabu with two other 
civilians in Olongapo City.

Meanwhile, Sr. Supt. Sahiron Salim, Bataan police director, identified the 
arrested civilians in various areas in Bataan as Marlon Gatbunton, who 
yielded 30 grams of shabu, one .45 caliber pistol, one hand grenade, and 20 
pieces of live ammunition for a .45 caliber pistol.

Carmelita Quintero and Fernando Santuyo, who each yielded 5 grams of shabu 
and one .38 caliber revolver; Rusty Urbano, .600 grams of shabu; Raymundo 
Mendoza, 2.5466 grams of shabu; Romnick dela Cruz and Ronnie Torres, who 
yielded seven and nine plastic sachets of dried marijuana respectively; 
Arturo Santuyo, 4.6542 grams of shabu; and Elpidio Cruz, 12.1713 grams of 
shabu.

Salim said that the arrest of the Soyangco Group was a result of their 
sustained campaign against illegal drugs in the towns of Mariveles, Pilar, 
Hermosa and Balanga City in Bataan.

Salim added that two more drug syndicates are now the object of their 
anti-illegal drugs operations in Bataan with the assistance of the 
Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority.

All the suspects, including the two cops, were placed under the custody of 
respective police units, as charges of illegal possession of prohibited 
drugs are being readied for filing in court against them.
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