Asian nationals renting houses in Parañaque alarm residents

An increase in the number of Asian nationals renting houses in an upscale Parañaque City subdivision causes alarm in the community and the police are watching.

"The homeowners association reported this to us and told us that these foreigners would not meet with them. Of course, the officers are concerned," the city police chief, Superintendent Ronald Estilles told The STAR after the launch of Parañaque’s anti-drug campaign last Friday.

Estilles declined, however, to name the subdivision for security reasons.

According to Estilles, after the homeowners’ association noticed the increase of Asian nationals in their neighborhood, they invited the residents to meet with them. But the new residents merely sent representatives.

Authorities had earlier warned the public that drug syndicates have been setting up their laboratories in private subdivisions as these places are not readily accessible to lawmen.

Two shabu laboratories, reportedly run by members of Chinese drug syndicates, had been raided by authorities in two exclusive subdivisions in Parañaque.

Estilles said police are continuously monitoring these areas in the city where drug syndicates were suspected to be building their laboratories.

Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Superintendent Jose Gutierrez Jr. had appealed to village homeowners to be more vigilant in their communities.

As the national government renewed its anti-drug campaign, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) identified Baclaran in Parañaque as one of the 11 drug hotspots in Metro Manila. — Nikko Dizon