Cops vow to rid Taytay sitio of illegal drugs

MANILA, Philippines - Police vowed yesterday to rid Sitio Lupang Arenda in Taytay, Rizal of illegal drugs following the death of a policeman and a tabloid reporter during an anti-drug operation there Wednesday.

Chief Superintendent Perfecto Palad, Calabarzon police director, said they are investigating reports that remnants of the busted “shabu tiangge” in Pasig City have transferred their operations to Lupang Arenda.

“We will be conducting massive anti-drug operations in the area the soonest possible time to prevent a group from setting up a shabu flea market there,” he said.

Palad said the area where PO1 Virgilio de la Cruz and Remate reporter Tiburcio “Jojo” Trajano Jr. were killed was a known lair of big-time drug pushers.

Palad directed Senior Superintendent Ireneo Dordas, Rizal police director, to conduct massive anti-drug operations in Lupang Arenda to send drug pushers “on the run.”

“We should not allow drug pushers to operate in the area with impunity. We should set up checkpoints there to intercept drug couriers and buyers,” he said.

Dordas’ men rounded up at least six suspects minutes after De la Cruz and Trajano were shot.

Palad said investigation showed that two of the six suspects were accused of killing people “but managed to remain scot-free by settling (the cases with) their complainants.”

During his term as former Eastern Police District (EPD) director, Gen. Charlemagne Alejandrino conducted an anti-illegal raid on Lupang Arenda, resulting in the arrest of several drug pushers.

A firefight ensued between the lawmen and the criminal elements in the area, prompting Alejandrino to call for a back-up military helicopter to ensure the success of the raid.

Police said a number of policemen have been killed in the area in previous raids.

Dordas said Lupang Arena is strategically located at the boundaries of Taguig City, Pateros, Pasig City and Makati City and could be reached through the Pasig River.