Entire Plaza Miranda police command relieved

Manila Police District (MPD) acting director Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzosa relieved yesterday the entire command of Plaza Miranda police community precinct in Quiapo for failing to implement a local order prohibiting the selling of herbal medicine in the area.

The relief of Plaza Miranda commander Senior Inspector Romeo Recalde and his entire unit came after Mayor Lito Atienza personally saw for himself that the vendors were still doing business.

Atienza made a surprise inspection of Plaza Miranda and the surrounding streets Friday morning following a ban on herbal vendors believed to be selling abortion-inducing drugs and concoctions.

Atienza, chairman of Pro-Life Philippines advocacy group, ordered the ban after agents of the National Bureau of Investigation have earlier arrested six vendors for illegally selling Cytotec, an abortion-inducing drug.

He saw some vendors doing business right beside the police outpost, prompting him to order the entire command’s relief.

"These illegal activities, particularly in Quiapo, continue to proliferate because the police themselves not only allow them to operate but even protect them," an irate Atienza told reporters.

Abarzosa replaced Recalde with Senior Inspector Benito de Leon.

"I hope this will be the last time I will relieve an entire police command. However, I am warning others that they will face similar fate if they fail to implement a lawful order," Abarzosa said.

He also designated Superintendent Noel Cabagnot as the new chief of the Sta. Cruz police station, which has jurisdiction over the Plaza Miranda outpost. Cabagnot, a former Balut police station chief, was replaced by Superintendent Romulo Sapitula.