Pubdate: Sat, 12 Jul 2003
Source: SunStar Cagayan de Oro (Philippines)
Pubdate: July 1, 2003
Contact:  3rd floor, Sun.Star Building P. del Rosario St., Cebu City 6000,
Philippines
Fax: 63-32) 254-6530
Website: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan/
Author: Lizanilla J. Amarga
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/area/Philippines

PNP 10 SECURES LIST OF DRUG LORDS, USERS

THE region's police director revealed that over one percent of the 4,000
police force in Region 10 are involved in various drug operations in their
locality.

Northern Mindanao Regional Police Director Nicolas Pasinos said they already
have a list of the names of drug lords and even police officers who are
involved in drug deals in the region.

As this developed, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraula said he is
amenable to a proposal that all government officials undergo drug testing.

He said only those opposing it are afraid since they have something to hide.

And unlike in Davao City Jaraula said no red paint will smudge houses of
local residents' suspected to be involved into drug operations.

"Putting red paint in their homes is illegal," Cagayan de Oro's lone
representative told the press yesterday in an ambush interview.

He added that the private dwellings of each individual is his own and it is
up to him to do what he will in it.

Later Pasinos told the press that though an extensive campaign against drug
dealers is needed he will not be taking the path Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte
is taking.

"Iba akong tao (I am a different person)...I would rather go after these
people," he said.

Pasinos said the PNP 10 top officers have conducted a command conference
early last week and the drug menace in the region has been discussed. He
said a list of names have already been drafted as to these drug suspects.

"Meron na tayong listahan nitong mga drug operators dito sa ating region (We
already have a list of these drug operators here in the region)," he said
during a press conference Thursday.

Pasinos said the list is composed of suspected major druglords and several
police officers. He said most of these police officers are into the
narcotics section in their force.

The list extends to all of Region 10 including Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental,
Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Iligan and even Lanao del Norte. Pasinos said
about a little over one percent of the police force in Region 10 are
involved in drugs.

He said these include those known users, pushers and coddlers of drug
dealers.

"We are now conducting massive monitoring and intelligence gathering
activities to make sure that these police officers are caught red-handed,"
he said.

As of now, Pasinos admitted they still don't have much evidence to run after
these police officers and druglords.

He expressed hopes that his experiences in drug raids and buy bust
operations in the National Capital Region (NCR) will help him entrap these
drug suspects.
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MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk