148 CHARGED IN SHABU TIANGGE RAID

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday filed with the Regional
Trial Court of Pasig City violations of the antidrug laws against 148
individuals who were arrested in a raid at the "shabu tiangge" in
Pasig City on February 10, 2006.

In the DOJ resolution filed by State Prosecutors Elizabeth Berdal and
Marlette Balagtas, charges of visiting a drug den, illegal possession
of prohibited drugs and equipment, maintaining a drug den and illegal
use of prohibited were filed against the respondents.

According to Balagtas, also included in the charge sheet filed by the
justice department was an alleged henchman of Mayor Vicente Eusebio of
Pasig City, a certain Roy Bohol Montefero, alias Boy Pacquiao.

Out of the 200 arrested during the raid, only 148, who tested positive
of prohibited drugs, were detained while the others were released.

There is no bail recommended for the accused who violated Section 6 of
Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Law, while a bail
bond of P200,000 is recommended for those charged with visiting a drug
den.

The accused were arrested in the compound located on F. Soriano
Street, Barangay Palatiw, Pasig City, also known as Sitio Mapayapa, by
the members of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force of
the Philippine National Police.

Meanwhile, PNP Chief Director General Arturo Lomibao has directed the
relieved chief of the Pasig City police to join some 65 of his men who
are undergoing retraining at the Subic Bay Freeport in Olongapo City.

During Sunday's opening of the PNP's value and leadership training
course, Lomibao ordered the inclusion of Senior Supt. Raul Medina in
the first batch of police officers from the Pasig City police to
undergo retraining in Subic.

The newly installed PNP spokesman, Senior Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, told
The Manila Times that Lomibao wants Medina to join his men so he could
serve as an example to his subordinates.

Pagdilao stressed that Lo-mibao wants to highlight the importance of
"leadership by example" in issuing the directive.

It was learned that Police Community Precinct 20 former commander,
Senior Insp. Salvador de la Cruz, and 20 of his subordinates are also
included in the first batch.

The 15-day training module includes basic discipline and leadership,
values formation and rigorous team-building exercises.