Taguig police to meet BGC club owners on 'drug hub' tag

MANILA, Philippines - The Taguig City government has ordered its local police to look into the tagging of certain clubs at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) as alleged drug joints by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Mayor Lani Cayetano also instructed Taguig Police chief Senior Superintendent Arthur Felix Asis to determine the basis for the NBI's decision to put under surveillance the BGC clubs for apparent use and sale of party drugs ecstasy to its patrons.

Aside from the BGC, reports said the NBI also placed clubs in Quezon City and Makati City under its surveillance .

“We do not tolerate illegal drugs activities in Taguig so we are asking those in-charge of the investigations to inform us of the basis for such statement so we, in the local government, could take the necessary steps to address the situation,” the mayor said.

She ordered the Taguig Police to hold a dialogue with BGC club owners to give them an opportunity to be heard regarding the matter.

Asis said the police are set to meet with bar owners operating in BGC to discuss coordinating measures to prevent the spread of illegal drugs, especially the so-called “party-drugs” in their establishments.

"We have been strongly pursuing illegal drug traders and users in the city. And in this meeting, we will discuss coordination efforts between the police and the securities officials of high-end establishments to monitor and possibly apprehend drug users and sellers,” the police official said.