Pubdate: Thu, 12 Aug 2004 Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines) Contact: http://www.mb.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906 Author: Aris R. Ilagan, and Roy C. Sinfuego Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.) FIVE PDEA AGENTS NABBED Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo T. Reyes, also chief of the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTAF), announced yesterday the arrest of five agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and a personnel of the Bureau of Fire for their alleged involvement in kidnapping, extortion and robbery activities. In a press conference at the NAKTAF Headquaters at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Reyes identified the arrested suspects as Elmer Avancena, Jaime Popioco, Eric Nazareno, Gil Grefaldeo and Nolasco Taytay, all agents of the PDEA. Also arrested was Generoso Jaymalin, a personnel of the Bureau of Fire. Reyes said that manhunt operations against the seventh suspect, Tony Jabalo, have been intensified after he was tagged by police authorities as the leader of the gang. Deputy Director Edgar Aglipay, chief of the Anti-Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF) who accompanied Reyes during the press conference, vowed to enforce the full force of the law against erring members of the police organization. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart