Raps filed vs 7 drug enforcers

Criminal and administrative charges were filed against seven Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) men blamed for the escape of suspected Chinese drug trafficker Henry Tan from his detention cell at Camp Crame last week.

PDEA Director General Anselmo Avenido said Inspector Rolando Cana, SPO4 Pedro Doctolero, SPO3 Ruperto Galinguez, SPO3 Jesus Acuna, SPO2 Benjamin Agbulos, SPO1 Nelson Alcantara, and PO3 Armando Ibasco were charged for evasion through negligence under Article 224 of the Revised Penal Code.

All are members of the PDEA Operational Support Service (OSS) and were detailed as cell guards when Tan escaped by sawing off the window’s iron grills last Sept. 29.

Avenido said charges were filed yesterday before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. They are also facing administrative case for serious neglect of duty.

Included in the administrative case were Superintendents Donatilo Balabala, and Christopher Tambungan, service director and assistant service director, respectively, of the OSS, which has jurisdiction over the detention cell.

Avenido did not explain why Balabala and Tambungan were not included in the criminal charges filed against the seven jail guards.

"We have recommended to the PNP chief that the detail of the named PDEA personnel be terminated effective immediately," he said.

Avenido said they recommended the filing of administrative cases with the office of PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane since the agency does not have the disciplinary authority over its personnel, who are organic members of the PNP.

The seven men were charged after an investigation by the PDEA Internal Affairs Service.

Avenido added that he has submitted a report on the result of the investigation to President Arroyo, Congress and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina.