Pubdate: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 Source: Freeman, The (Philippines) Copyright: 2004 The Freeman Contact: http://www.thefreeman.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3437 Author: Ryan P. Borinaga Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.) DRUG ENFORCERS RELIEVED AS PROBE BEGINS ON SUSPECT'S ROB CLAIMS Operatives of the city's Drug Enforcement Unit had been ordered relieved and reassigned to the Security and Service Group, while investigation is underway over the claims of an arrested suspected drug pusher that he was robbed of cash and valuables and there was never a drug bust conducted. Criminal Investigation and Intelligence chief Paul Labra, who was called earlier by Mayor Tomas Osmena to verify the allegations, said relieving and grounding the operatives were necessary to make the results of the investigation credible. The operatives under question are PO3 Elmo Rosales, PO2s Gil Garcia and Cerilo Luage, and PO1s Patrick Mumar and Dindo Lumapac. Last August 10, they arrested a Jose Franco Apolinario, 53, who they alleged as a suspected drug pusher in barangay Calamba. The operatives reported to the city police operation division that seized from Apolinario were a pack of shabu, and P700 buy bust money. They then filed drug charges against him. But last Tuesday, or a week later, Osmena received a text message telling him that eight packs of shabu, about P500,000, 10 pieces of jewelry, and cellphones were seized during the arrest of Apolinario. This upset the mayor as he began suspecting that something fishy was happening behind the Apolinario case. This prompted him to order Labra to conduct an investigation. Apolinario, presently detained at Camp Sotero stockade, had insisted that there was no drug buy-bust and that he was robbed instead. "I was asleep. Somebody knocked at my door and when I opened it diretso og sulod ang usa ka tawo sa akong kuarto, nisunod ang mga polis. Gitionan ko og armas, I could not resist and then they ransacked my cabinet. No search warrant, no buy bust, nothing," Apolinario said. He alleged that there was no shabu confiscated and that the operatives allegedly took P50,000 from his cabinet, P11,050 and US$318 cash from his wallet, three gold necklaces, two gold pendants, two gold bracelets, a gold ring, and two pairs of earrings. Also taken was his Swiss military wristwatch, two gold rings from his fingers, another pair of gold earring and nine cell phones-which were pawned to him--from the cabinet. However, these claimed items were not listed in the operatives' spot report but Labra told The Freeman that the five policemen had so far denied Apolinario's allegations. Apolinario is a native of Aklan province and was a member of the Philippine Army from 1972 to 1978. In 1976, he relocated to Cebu and had worked in various bars since 1980 until his last job as floor manager of a club in Mandaue City. The operatives had maintained that Apolinario has been a suspected pusher in barangay Calamba but he said that there was never a warrant presented at the time of the arrest.