2 anti-drug cops caught using shabu now in hiding

MANILA, Philippines - Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Superintendent Francisco Manalo ordered yesterday a manhunt for a rookie policeman and his colleague, who were caught on video sniffing shabu.

Manalo also ordered the filing of criminal and administrative charges against Police Officer 1 Jonathan Lunzaga and PO3 Gerardo Javier, both assigned at the EPD’s District Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Group.

Lunzaga and Javier have not reported for work since Saturday, when ABS-CBN showed Manalo a video footage showing the two sniffing shabu. The STAR learned that Lunzaga is serving a 21-day suspension for another case involving neglect of duty.

Manalo ordered drug tests done last Saturday on 17 police officers who showed up for duty at the EPD headquarters. All of them tested negative for drug use.

Manalo requested for a copy of the video footage from ABS-CBN as he vowed to punish the two erring policemen. It is the third case of policemen caught on video sniffing shabu in the EPD’s jurisdiction.