Pubdate: Fri, 18 Mar 2005
Source: Manila Standard (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Manila Standard
Contact:  http://www.manilastandardonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3450
Author: Joel Zurbano
Cited: Philippine National Police http://www.pnp.gov.ph
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

TONDO RESIDENTS WANT BAD COPS OUT

Illegal gambling and drug trafficking continue unabated in Manila,
particularly in some areas in Tondo where several policemen reside.

Some of the cops, most of them assigned to the Western Police District
are hooked on drugs. Sources said they are also operating illegal
gambling syndicates.

The drug menace and proliferation of gambling prompted Tondo residents
to urge officials of the Philippine National Police, headed by newly
appointed PNP Chief Arturo Lomibao, the National Police Commission and
Manila City government to act on the problem.

Trebor Sibug, 35, a laborer, complained that more than 15 bookies of
jueteng (lotto/jueteng) and horseracing are operating in the streets
of Dandan, Herbosa, Varona, Gerona, Francisco and Esguerra, all in
Tondo's district 1.

Sibug also revealed that five bigtime drug pushers are responsible for
the rampant selling of methampetamine hydrochloride, also known as
shabu, in the area. He added one of the pushers is a close relative of
a policeman.

Sibug also said young people, most of them high school students, and
even middle-aged men, are hooked on shabu.

"Once they are hooked on drugs, they get into trouble like stealing
from their neighbors," Sibug added. "Drug use is a common sight here.
This is despite the fact that policemen are living here."

The residents, however, refused to identify the policemen residing in
the area. They just mentioned some of the policemen's nicknames as
"PO1 Manoy," "PO3 Gardo B.," "PO1 Dencio," "PO1 Andoy," "PO3 Jun
Pison," SPO4 Taba" and "PO3 JR."

The residents also revealed that one of the policemen was a former
antinarcotics agent. 
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