Drug busters vs anti-extort cops

Accusations of accepting bribes led to shots being fired between operatives of a police drug enforcement unit and the Regional Special Action Unit inside a police station in Taguig past midnight yesterday.

SPO2 Eduardo Cabria said the tension began when a civilian, identified as Nasser Taynan, 37, of Upper Bicutan, allegedly tried to bribe police officers with P18,000 to set free two drug suspects arrested a few hours earlier.

The drug suspects, identified as Kahar Goldy, 27, and Benjamin Usman, 49, were arrested in a buy-bust operation at around 9:30 p.m. last Friday at the Balay Pagkakaisa in Maharlika Village.

Police said Taynan later arrived at the police station and allegedly offered cash to the arresting officers in exchange of the freedom of the drug suspects.

Cabria said the officers had rejected the offer when an RSAU special operations group member, identified as PO1 Ladislao Nuguid, arrived at the station and suddenly started accusing the officers of accepting a bribe.

Nuguid then called for back up when the arresting police vehemently denied accepting the bribe.

Other RSAU-SOG members arrived at the police station and tried to convince the arresting officers to go with them.

But when the arresting officers refused to do so and continued to deny the accusation, the two camps started drawing weapons and firing shots, though not aimed at anyone. There were numerous bullet holes inside the station, but one was reportedly hurt in the exchange of fire, Cabria said.

Tension was eased when Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Superintendent Prospero Noble Jr. arrived at the station upon hearing about the incident.

Both camps agreed to conduct separate investigation on the alleged bribery.

Noble stood by his men, saying their operation was "legitimate and no bribery happened inside the station."

"I think this is a result of enthusiasm to curb kotong cops," Noble told The STAR in a phone interview. "But we have to be careful sometimes because we tend to exaggerate and end up accusing our fellow policemen."

The SPD chief said he has ordered a thorough investigation of the incident.

Noble also asked investigators to produce a list of all police officers involved.