Pasay anti-drug cops sacked

MANILA, Philippines - All the members of Pasay City police Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operation Task Force (AIDSOTF) were ordered relieved yesterday for reportedly failing to put a stop to the trade in illegal drugs in the city.

The relief of AIDSOTF head Chief Inspector Salvador Solana and 18 other police officers was recommended by city police chief Senior Superintendent Raul Petrasanta following a series of drug raids conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) in Pasay earlier this week.

“I recommended their removal in order to unburden them of work since most of them are either burned out already or swamped with work,” Petrasanta told The STAR in phone interview.

Petrasanta said he forwarded the recommendation to Southern Police District head Chief Superintendent Jaime Calungsod on Wednesday and was approved immediately.

The city’s former intelligence office head, Chief Inspector Mario Cortes would temporarily replace Solana, he added.

PDEA agents arrested several drug suspects in Tramo, Pasay last Wednesday for allegedly possessing a kilo of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

The operation was carried out a day after Police Officer 1 Rodelio Rania of the Pasay Police Community Precinct 6 and his reported informant, Noel Bartolome, were collared for allegedly selling P7.5 million worth of cocaine.

According to Petrasanta, it is “high time” that they “overhaul” the AIDSOTF department to enable fresh faces to “start anew.”

“Since the officers were no longer doing what is expected of them it’s better that we replace them,” Petrasanta said.