PNP COLONEL CAUGHT WITH SHABU AT MANILA CITY JAIL

A RANKING Philippine National Police (PNP) officer was arrested the
other day inside the Manila City Jail (MCJ) after he was caught in
possession of shabu while visiting a jailed relative there.

MCJ warden Supt. Magumnang Dipantar, identified the arrested officer
as Sr. Supt. Mario Cruz, 45, detailed with the PNP Headquarters
Support Unit at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Police said Cruz arrived at city jail around 4 p.m. the other day to
visit relative Ricardo Marcelo who is in jail for estafa and illegal
recruitment. Cruz left the jail after an hour, only to return at 6
p.m., jail guards said.

Suspicious about the purpose of his return, jail guards asked Cruz for
identification. One of the guards reportedly spotted the shabu—which
was packed in a plastic sachet—as the suspect pulled out his ID card
from his wallet.

Dipantar said Cruz is a frequent visitor at the jail, and that jail
guards have complained about his alleged refusal to be frisked and
searched before entering the jail compound. Cruz, however, denied the
allegations and said he was "framed."

He said he had an argument with one of the jail guards two weeks ago,
when he noticed that a woman visitor was allowed to enter the jail
without being searched.

Cruz said the guard only wanted to get back at him.