REVVED-UP POLICE PRESS DRUG WAR

MORE known drug havens in Metro Manila and other parts of the country
similar to the one smashed in Pasig City last week will be the target
of a massive operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and
the Philippine National Police this year, officials announced yesterday.

PDEA chair Anselmo S. Avenido, Jr. called anew on the public to help
by providing information on drug sites. The PDEA's Oplan Private Eye
offers a reward to drug informers.

PNP chief Director General Arturo C. Lomibao said any drug-related
information can be sent through PNP Txt 2920 or Patrol 117. PNP
Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force commander Director
Marcelo S. Ele Jr. said concerned citizens may also go directly to
their headquarters in Camp Crame or call telephone no. 7221918 or
7230401 local 5671.

Apart from the shabu tiangge in Pasig City, PDEA and PNP agents this
week have raided several shabu dens in Pasay City and Manila.

On Tuesday, PDEA agents and PNP members stormed a known shabu haven in
Pasay City where at least 44 suspects were arrested and subjected to a
background check and drug test.

Avenido said the suspects were rounded up from several shanties in
Tramo during an operation. A number of drug paraphernalia were
recovered. The main target of the raid identified as Russell de la
Cruz, of no. 1696 F. Munoz Street, Barangay 43, Zone 6, Tramo escaped
arrest and is still being hunted.

"This joint operation was conducted to preempt the setting up by drug
syndicates and their protectors of drug dens like the ones in Pasig
City which were raided last week," the PDEA chief said.

Lomibao said he has ordered Ele and National Capital Region Police
Office chief Director Vidal E. Querol to conduct regular anti-drug
raids in the metropolis. Similar raids will also be conducted in other
urban areas across the country, Lomibao said.