Pubdate: Sat, 14 Aug 2004
Source: Today (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004 Today
Contact:  http://www.today.net.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3458
Author: Claudeth Mocon, Today Correspondent
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)

COPS VS COPS IN TAGUIG FIREFIGHT

Two groups of policemen figured in a firefight over the release of two 
suspected drug traffickers in Taguig on Saturday.

The clash involving the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU) of the National 
Capital Regional Police Office and members of the Taguig Police erupted 
around 12:10 a.m. in front of the Taguig municipal hall.

No one was injured in the clash, which lasted for about 10 minutes.

Inspector Ricardo Luciano of the Taguig Police said that two hours before 
the incident a certain PO1 Ladislao Nuguib and one RSAU civilian employee 
identified as Nazzer Mohammed went to the office of the Anti-illegal Drugs 
Special Operations-Sub-Task Force (Aids-OSTF) to negotiate the release of 
two suspected drug pushers.

The two suspects were identified as Kahar Goldy , 27, and Benjamin Usmar, 
49 who were arrested hours before the firefight occurred.

Luciano said that Nuguib and Mohammed even offered a bribe amounting to 
P18,000 for the release of the two.

However, operatives of the task force rejected their offer.

Taguig policemen were later surprised when a platoon of RSAU, armed with 
automatic rifles, arrived at the compound past midnight.

The RSAU operatives,, Luciano said, began to position themselves in front 
of the headquarters and opened fire at them.

Luciano disclosed that there were only 10 policemen present at the 
headquarters that time.

Of the ten, two were armed of M-16 rifles and the rest with 9mm pistols.

Witnesses said that the place turned into a war zone, damaging even the 
newly-renovated municipal hall, located at the center of the compound, with 
bullet holes .

The firefight only stopped when Southern Police District director Chief 
Supt. Prospero Noble arrived in the area.

An irked Noble scolded the head of the RSAU a certain Inspector Datu and 
ordered them to return to NCRPO headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, in Bicutan.

Noble vowed to coordinate the matter with NCRPO chief Ricardo de Leon to 
take necessary action against the involved members of RSAU.

The police officials of Taguig, meanwhile, said they would be filing 
charges against the RSAU.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart