Pubdate: Wed, 14 Sep 2005
Source: People's Journal (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 People's Journal
Contact: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp
Website: http://www.journal.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3381
Author: Paul M. Gutierrez
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

DRUG LORD ESCAPES; POLICE COLLUSION EYED

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna -- The regional office of the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency (PDEA) based here suspected possible collusion with
some corrupt elements of the Philippine National Police and a
notorious drug lord who escaped capture early Sunday morning.

At dawn on Sunday, PDEA agents, together with members of the Regional
Special Operations Task Force (SOTF), the Regional Mobile Group (RMG)
and members of the San Juan, Batangas, Police Station under Chief
Insp. Raul Bargamento, raided and searched the JVP Farm and Resort at
the boundary of Bgy. Cabay and del Rosario, Tiaong, Quezon, where they
seized some 85 grams of suspected shabu, a .22-caliber Remington
rifle, voluminous ammunition for M-16 assault rifle and .45-caliber
pistol, two radio transceivers, a Toyota Corolla (PVC-517), a Yamaha
DT 125 with tampered plate number, and plastic sachets of various
sizes used in the distribution of the illegal drugs.

The principal target of the raid, Jaime Punzalan, the resort owner,
however managed to slip out just minutes before the raiding team barged in.

Lemos said Punzalan has been identified as one of the sources of
illegal drugs being distributed in the provinces of Batangas and
Quezon as well as Pasay City in Metro Manila.

Prior to the raid, which was conducted by virtue of a search warrant
issued by Judge Norma Chionglo-Sia of the Lucena City Regional Trial
Court, PDEA informants confirmed that Punzalan is inside the farm. For
still unknown reasons, however, the suspect decided to leave the
place, Lemos said.

"We have reason to believe the suspect was tipped off that a raid on
his place is about to be conducted that is why he managed to evade the
raiding team," Lemos told this reporter.

Some members of the police, whose names were not disclosed, were also
seen frequenting the resort farm, the regional anti-drug czar added.

Either some crooked cops from the Batangas PNP or the Quezon PNP or in
both provincial commands gave the tip to the suspect about the raid,
Lemos said.

Despite his escape, Punzalan would still be charged for violation of
RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and RA 8294. 
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