Cops probing Crame drug dens

MANILA, Philippines - The Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) is conducting a deeper investigation into the operation of 12 drug dens behind Camp Crame, the headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP), an official said yesterday.

The task force raided the drug dens on Monday.

AIDSOTF spokesman Chief Inspector Roque Merdegia clarified Police Officer 2 Ronaldo Baltazar of the Headquarters Support Service was not among those charged in connection with the drug dens.

“Baltazar was initially among the 33 people invited for questioning since he was in the area during the raid. But he was later released without any charges,” Merdegia told The STAR.

He said Baltazar, armed with his service pistol, was seen in the area, prompting the raiders to invite him for questioning.

“Due to lack of evidence to link him to the illegal drug activities, we released him,” Merdegia said.

West Crame is one of the barangays in Metro Manila that are most affected by illegal drugs. At least 160 police officers from AIDSOTF and the National Capital Region Police Office were tapped for the raids, he said. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Non Alquitran