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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth