Drug dealers eyed in Bucor exec's killing

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Probers are eyeing drug dealers in Friday night’s killing of a Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) official in San Pedro, Laguna, authorities said yesterday.

Superintendent Kirby John Kraft, San Pedro police chief, said Rodrigo Mercado, 62, assistant director for security of the National Bilibid Prisons, could have been killed due to his action against drug dealers operating in the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa City.

Kraft said Mercado carried out the transfer of 40 prisoners suspected to be involved in the drug trade to the penal colonies in Iwahig (Palawan), Sablayan (Mindoro) and Davao.

Kraft said Mercado beefed up security following a media exposé on the rampant drug trade in the penitentiary, possibly earning the ire of the drug dealers.

He, however, said he has yet to receive the list of these drug personalities from prison officials. 

Kraft said they have formed a task force on the provincial level “so we can have the help of CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) and other investigating groups.” 

Mercado, a resident of Sto. Niño, Muntinlupa City, was on his way to San Pedro aboard his black Chevrolet when four men blocked his path along the national highway and fired at him with caliber .45 pistols.