New EPD chief told: Make sure there are no more shabu tiangges

MANILA, Philippines - Metro police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales directed yesterday the new commander of the Eastern Police District to prevent the resurfacing of the shabu “tiangge (flea market)” not only in Pasig City but also in other areas of the EPD.

He said that in 2006, a shabu tiangge had been shut down by the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF), but not before it had given the police and the Pasig City government a black eye.

Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele assumed command of the EPD during simple turnover ceremony last Friday.

“My instructions to Mantele is to prevent at all cost drug syndicates from erecting shabu tiangges like the one busted by the police in 2006,” Rosales said in an interview.

The shabu flea market’s alleged operator, Amin Imam Boratong, and his second wife, Sheryl Molera, were meted life imprisonment recently by the Pasig City regional trial court (RTC).

Rosales also ordered Mantele to stop street crimes in the EPD’s jurisdiction, especially the series of vigilante-type killings in Pasig City.

Aside from Pasig City, the cities of San Juan, Marikina and Mandaluyong comprises the EPD.

Reports reaching Rosales showed that the vigilante-type killings was a result of the rivalry between remnants of Boratong’s drug syndicate who are fighting for rights to take over drug peddling operations in the city.

Government witness Samer Palao said the two groups were responsible for peddling illegal drugs at the shabu tiangge located along F. Soriano street in Barangay Sto. Tomas.

“There is an ongoing turf war between supporters of Boratong and Molera in the area and our local police and EPD anti-drug unit should put an end to it,” said Rosales adding the police should also go after the political backers of the two groups.

Rosales said Mantele should strengthen his anti-drug unit so they could be effective in neutralizing drug peddling rackets in the EPD’s area of jurisdiction, especially in Muslim communities. – Non Alquitran