Shabu ‘tiangge’ will not happen again – EPD

Newly installed Eastern Police District director Senior Superintendent Nilo de la Cruz vowed yesterday that the debacle brought about by the raid on the shabu “tiangge (flea market)” in Pasig City, which shamed the police organization, would not happen under his watch at the EPD.

“The shabu tiangge is history. We’ve learned our lessons and it will never happen under my administration,” De la Cruz said as he warned drug syndicates based in eastern Metro Manila that he would run after them “no matter who gets hurt.”

“If there are drug pushers and other remnants of the ‘shabu tiangge,’ they better leave Pasig City because I will leave no stone unturned in hauling them to jail,” he added.

De la Cruz also warned policemen that he will not hesitate to initiate dismissal proceedings or file criminal charges against them should the evidence link them to the sale or use of illegal drugs.

He has ordered the chiefs of police in Marikina, Mandaluyong, Pasig and San Juan to update their order of battle on personalities involved in the trade or use of illegal drugs.

On Feb. 10, 2005, government agents raided the shabu tiangge on F. Soriano street, Sitio Mapayapa in Barangay Sto. Tomas and arrested at least 300 people.

Alleged shabu tiangge operator Amin Imam Boratong and his second wife, Sheryl Molera, are facing various charges in court.

A total of 21 policemen, including the former chief of police of Pasig City, were linked by government witness Samer Palao as protectors of Boratong’s shabu peddling operation.

The National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) is investigating the 21 policemen’s culpability in connection with the shabu tiangge.

De la Cruz said he created the District Special Projects Unit (DSPU), to be headed by Senior Inspector Wilson Quilala, to go after drug syndicates, terrorists and other criminals. Quilala will report directly to De la Cruz.

De la Cruz placed the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), the Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) and the anti-narcotics unit under Quilala’s supervision to give his DSPU “more teeth” in the war against crime.

“The DSPU will be at the forefront of our anti-drugs and anti-criminality campaign. So it is just proper for them to be heavily-armed and fully trained,” De la Cruz said as he announced plans to acquire sophisticated weaponry for the SWAT unit.

He also directed Quilala to train his men to “shoot straight” so they would gain confidence in handling their service firearms and other “war” gadgets. – Non Alquitran