Pubdate: Fri, 17 Feb 2006 Source: People's Journal (Philippines) Copyright: 2006 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: Alfred Dalizon Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines REVVED-UP POLICE PRESS DRUG WAR MORE known drug havens in Metro Manila and other parts of the country similar to the one smashed in Pasig City last week will be the target of a massive operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police this year, officials announced yesterday. PDEA chair Anselmo S. Avenido, Jr. called anew on the public to help by providing information on drug sites. The PDEA's Oplan Private Eye offers a reward to drug informers. PNP chief Director General Arturo C. Lomibao said any drug-related information can be sent through PNP Txt 2920 or Patrol 117. PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force commander Director Marcelo S. Ele Jr. said concerned citizens may also go directly to their headquarters in Camp Crame or call telephone no. 7221918 or 7230401 local 5671. Apart from the shabu tiangge in Pasig City, PDEA and PNP agents this week have raided several shabu dens in Pasay City and Manila. On Tuesday, PDEA agents and PNP members stormed a known shabu haven in Pasay City where at least 44 suspects were arrested and subjected to a background check and drug test. Avenido said the suspects were rounded up from several shanties in Tramo during an operation. A number of drug paraphernalia were recovered. The main target of the raid identified as Russell de la Cruz, of no. 1696 F. Munoz Street, Barangay 43, Zone 6, Tramo escaped arrest and is still being hunted. "This joint operation was conducted to preempt the setting up by drug syndicates and their protectors of drug dens like the ones in Pasig City which were raided last week," the PDEA chief said. Lomibao said he has ordered Ele and National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Vidal E. Querol to conduct regular anti-drug raids in the metropolis. Similar raids will also be conducted in other urban areas across the country, Lomibao said. - --- MAP posted-by: Tom