EDITORIAL - Drug money

The report about some Cebu City policemen accused of protecting drug pushers is clearly sending a chill down our spines.

 For it only shows that the menace now sweeping the city is deeply rooted that even those drug peddlers are able to bribe authorities.

A few days ago, barangay captains in the mountain barangays of Bacayan, Pulangbato, and Balamban raised suspicion that some policemen receive protection money from drug dealers in their areas.

Appearing before the meeting of the City Hall's Police Coordinating Advisory Council, the village chieftains did not however identify at least 20 members of the Talamban Police Station whom they suspected of protecting drug lords.

Although saying he lacks the evidence against them, the police station's chief, Senior Superintendent Bienvenido Miral, admitted that some of his personnel receive drug money but only at least four of them.

Now that the suspicion has been raised, the city police office under the leadership of director Noli Romana should immediately look into the matter, whether or not it merits a thorough investigation.

Yes it is undeniable that many policemen regularly receive bribe money from drug lords in exchange for protection. In fact, many of them have already been dismissed from service following media exposes.

However, despite the crusade against lawmen involved in illegal drug trade, many still manage to continue with their activity without fear of being caught because they have protection from their higher officials.  

And let us admit that rooting out policemen who are protecting the drug business is really a tall order. That is because it would take more than just an accusation to prompt the police leadership to investigate.

So those upland barangay captains should not just be satisfied with their suspicion. They should need to go the extra mile showing the evidence in order for the police leadership to sack those involved.