8 cops commended for arrest, conviction of Caloocan pusher

MANILA, Philippines - The former head of the Northern Police District (NPD) anti-illegal drugs division and at least seven of his men were commended yesterday for the arrest and conviction of a notorious pusher in Caloocan City.

Cited for their “devotion to duty” were Chief Inspector Bartolome Tarnate, now head of the Caloocan City police station anti-illegal drugs unit; Senior Police Officer 2 Mario Saddoy; Senior Police Officer 1 Fernando Gomboc; and Police Officers 3 Roberto Cahilig Jr., Randy Llanderal, Fidel Cabinta, Ariosto Rana and Joel Borda.

They arrested drug peddler Colvert Javier, 44, during an operation in Caloocan City in 2008 and closely followed the case until Javier was finally convicted on Feb. 25. Javier was sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined P300,000.

Chief Inspector Jay Agcaoili, NPD-District Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group chief, in his letter to NPD director Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr., “strongly recommended” that Tarnate and his men be given appropriate recognition for their “uncompromising support, professionalism, devotion to duty and invaluable services in the performance of police operations.”      – Pete Laude