NPA probes politicians, cops on its drugs watch list

From the Sun Star-Davao (Jul 15): NPA probes politicians, cops on its drugs watch list

The New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Surigao del Sur is investigating the alleged involvement of several politicians and police officers in illegal drugs trade in the province.

Sandara Sidlakan, spokesperson of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 21, said the NPA has also made up its illegal drugs watch list which include several politicians and about a dozen of police officers who are allegedly linked in illegal drugs trade in the towns of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes and San Miguel in Surigao del Sur.

The NPA spokesperson said their action on the illegal drugs campaign has been going on for years, but it has recently been intensified with the present administration’s fight against it.

“We have our own eyes and ears in the community. So, we know those who are using and selling drugs. If they will present themselves and surrender with the intent of stopping and true to changing their lives then, we will not do anything to them. But if we catch them with illegal drugs in their possession, we will not think twice and execute them,” said Sidlakan.

The NPA said their action as they justified the abduction of PO1 Richard Yu Jr.

“We abducted Yu to investigate him and seek additional information that would lead to other bigger drug personalities. The family and friends of the police officer should not worry because we will let him go after we get satisfied with our ongoing investigation. So far, he is secure and well-taken care of,” said Sidlakan.

Police Senior Inspector Charity Galvez, officer in charge, public information officer of the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has addressed the issues properly.

“For us, the proper way to address the issue on police officers using illegal drugs would be through random drug tests. The PNP here in Caraga Region has been conducting these tests to ensure that we will weed out those involved based on scientific data. So far, we still don’t have the final results on the drug tests conducted. Rest assured, we will release the result as soon as we get it,” said Galvez.

Galvez revealed that Police Chief Superintendent Rolando Felix, PRO-Caraga regional director, ordered a surprise drug test to about 300 commissioned and non-commissioned police personnel in the region.

“Right now we are in the process of conducting an unannounced drug test. All the officers from the region and province were only given an instruction that there would be an assembly and meeting. Not one of them knew, that a surprise drug test had been prepared, but this is not the first time, we’d done similar tests in the past weeks already. So, I think this is a clear sign of our efforts toward cleaning our ranks,” said Galvez.

Last month, the regional director disclosed that three police officers had been caught in the act of using drugs, but result of their administrative case is yet to come.

As of Friday, PRO-Caraga has yet to reveal the exact number of those found using drugs and involved in the illegal drugs trade.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2016/07/15/npa-probes-politicians-cops-its-drugs-watch-list-485591