Pasay cop caught in drug bust faces dismissal

MANILA, Philippines - An irate National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales ordered yesterday summary dismissal proceedings against a Pasay City policeman who was arrested in a drug bust in Sta. Cruz, Manila last Wednesday.

Police Officer 2 Emil Tionson is reportedly responsible for distributing and selling shabu in Sta. Cruz and Tondo in Manila, according to police intelligence reports.

He also tried to run over the anti-drug operatives of the Sta. Cruz police station before he was subdued.

“This is the kind of policeman that should be weeded out from the police ranks and put in jail to serve as an example to others who use their uniforms to commit criminal activities,” Rosales said in a phone interview.

With the help of an informant, undercover policemen – led by Senior Inspector John Guiagui – were able to transact a drug deal with Tionson near a gas station along Juan Luna street, according to a report of Sta. Çruz police station chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula.

However, when Tionson sensed he was dealing with policemen, he used his gray Nissan sedan (PPS-370) to try to mow down the police officers. He nearly hit POs2 Exequiel Arevalo Marvin Flores and damaged the cars of Guiagui and SPO3 Pedro Valdez Jr.

Upon his arrest, Tionson yielded two sachets of suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia and a .9mm pistol.

Sapitula said Tionson also tried to dilute his urine with water during a drug test following his arrest.

Rosales warned Metro Manila police chiefs that they would be held responsible if it is proven that they failed to supervise the activities of their men.

Rosales said he will conduct surprise drug tests in different police stations in Metro Manila in the coming days.