Pubdate: Sun, 20 Jun 2004
Source: People's Tonight (Philippines)
Copyright: Journal Group 2004
Address: Railroad Street and 19th and 20th Streets, Port Area, Manila, 
Philippines
Telephone: (+63 2) 527-4627
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Website: http://www.journal.com.ph
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Author: Mia B. Billones

ISLAMIC CENTER IN QUIAPO UNDER DRUG WATCH

WESTERN Police District Director Pedro Bulaong has ordered his men to 
closely monitor the Islamic Center in Quiapo and other areas in the city 
tagged as drug havens to prevent drug-related violence.

Bulaong issued the directive to allay fears that the shootout that occurred 
in Carlos Palanca St. last week, which resulted in the death of a suspected 
big-time drug pusher, is likely to be followed by more atrocities.

Suspected drug pusher Morog Kael, 24, was shot dead by responding cops 
during the firefight while retired police Col. Macacna Lucman and Datu 
Amerol Ambiong, chair of the Metro Manila Peace and Coordinating Council, 
and two other civilians were wounded.

"We would never allow such incidents to happen again. Places believed to 
have been used as drug havens of these criminals are now being closely 
watched. I'm warning these criminals to stop their illegal activities 
because my men are keeping their eyes on them," Bulaong said.

Aside from the Islamic Center in Quiapo, police are also closely monitoring 
Pandacan, Tondo and Binondo where drug syndicates reportedly deliver the 
bulk of their stuff.

WPD spokesman Chief Insp. Floriano Agunod said uniformed and plainclothes 
cops would be spread out to these places to ensure that drug addicts and 
pushers would be eradicated.

Agunod added that barangay authorities have also vowed to intensify the 
anti-drug campaign by giving the police vital information on the suspected 
users and pushers in their respected places.

Agunod went on to say that Bulaong also warned cops not to spare their 
colleagues who are guilty of protecting drug syndicates.

"Mananagot din sila kapag napatunayan ni General Bulaong na hindi nila 
hinuli ang kapwa nila pulis na kasabwat ng mga drug syndicates," Agunod said.

Sources in the WPD said several drug operations failed because rogue cops 
tipped their cohorts about the raids.
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