Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it confiscated almost one metric ton of suspected shabu worth ₱6.7 billion during an anti-illegal drugs operation in a lending office in Tondo, Manila on Saturday.
“Ang ating kampanya laban sa ilegal na droga ay masasabi nating patuloy na nagtatagumpay,” PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) director PBGen Narciso Domingo said in a press briefing on Sunday. “Isang patunay dito ang sunod-sunod na naglalakihang operasyon ng PNP gaya ng naganap na buy-bust operation kagabi lamang kung saan nakumpiska natin ang 990 kilos at 102 grams ng hinihinalang shabu na nagkakahalaga ng ₱6.7 billion.”
[Translation: We can say that our campaign against illegal drugs is succeeding. One proof is the consecutive big operations of the PNP, such as the buy-bust operation held last night where we confiscated 990 kilos and 102 grams of suspected shabu worth ₱6.7 billion.]
He added that the operation led to the arrest of Ney Saligumba Atadero. The PDEG was also able to gather evidence pointing to the involvement of a certain PMSgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr.
“Nakuha sa nasabing pulis ang humigit-kumulang dalawang kilo ng shabu na nagkakahalaga ng ₱13.6 million matapos ang ating hot pursuit operation. Base sa dokumento na nakita natin sa loob ng opisina ng WPD (Wealth and Personal Development) Lending, Inc., may mga dokumentong nagpapatunay na ang nasabing pulis ay kasabwat ni Atadero,” he said.
[Translation: About two kilos of shabu worth ₱13.6 million were seized from the policeman after our hot pursuit operation. Based on documents we found inside the office of WPD Lending, Inc., there are documents indicating that the policeman is an accomplice of Atadero.]
PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. assured the public that they do not and will not tolerate any wrongdoing from their ranks.
“There will be no let up. We don’t care who gets caught and who gets hurt. For as long as we get all the evidences against any suspect in any crime, we will pursue them until the end,” he said.
Arrested in a separate operation in Rosario, Pasig City was Juden Francisco, an alleged high-valued drug personality.
Also arrested were seven of Francisco’s men who, police said, initially hid and secured him. Authorities later discovered that some of them are under probation from drug charges, while others have dismissed cases.
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. lauded the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the PNP.
“Maganda itong team ng pulis na ito. Ito yung team na talagang tutugis dito. [This police team is good. This is the team that will really pursue this.] I would like to guarantee that. Maski tamaan maski sino rito. Maski kabaro o hindi, dire-diretso ito [This will continue regardless of who gets hit] and I would like to see that through. What is important is not the arrest. What’s important is the conviction,” he said in the same briefing.
