TAGUIG MAYOR PRESSES CHARGES VS. 'ARBOR' COPS

Mayor Freddie R. Tinga of Taguig on Sunday ordered the filing of charges
against operatives of the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU) who stormed
the Taguig police station early Saturday morning after their "request" for
the release of two arrested drug pushers was turned down.

The RSAU is under the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO).

RSAU also held at gunpoint and used as a human shield a member of the
Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) in the firefight that ensued between
them and Taguig policemen.

Tinga said that "all erring cops involved in this incident must be properly
charged." Insp. Cleto Seriosa, Taguig Investigation chief, said the siege
of the Taguig police station occurred at about 12:10 a.m. Saturday.

The Times learned that two RSAU "emissaries" had requested Taguig's Drug
Enforcement Unit (DEU) to release arrested drug pushers Kahar T. Goldy, 27,
and Benjamin J. Usman, 49, in exchange for P18,000.

"Gusto nilang arborin ang mga suspects [They wanted us to give them a
favor, that is, to not charge the suspects and release them]," a Taguig
policeman, who asked not to be named, said.

Police Officer 1 Ladislao C. Nuguid, 27, a member of RSAU-NCRPO, and Nasser
M. Tayuan, 30, a civilian assigned at CPI-UBC, showed up at the police
station and tried to bribe DEU personnel, prompting the DEU police to
arrest them and confiscate the P18,000 bribe money.

At this point 30 armed companions of the arrested RSAU members stormed the
police station upon the order of their head, Lt. Jess Merilo. They locked
the main door of the municipal hall.

No one was reported injured in the 10-minute firefight, which was stopped
when senior officers of both camps intervened.