NCRPO STREAMLINES ANTI-DRUG UNITS

To curb complaints of extortion against Metro policemen, Metro Manila
police chief Director Ricardo de Leon ordered yesterday the streamlining
and strengthening of anti-drug units in the metropolis.

Starting this week, De Leon said all anti-drug units in the district and
even at the station level will be manned by a seven-man team, whose members
have impeccable integrity and service records.

"We want a new image for our anti-drug cops," De Leon said.

He also issued strict guidelines for anti-drug operatives not to operate
outside their area of responsibilities without written consent from their
districts or stations. Failure to secure the permit would mean harsh
punishment for the operatives and a reprimand for their superior officers.

Deputy Director General Edgar Aglipay, head of the Anti-Illegal Drugs
Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF), approved the new regulation.

Aglipay on Friday ordered the relief of Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo
Jr., head of the Western Police District (WPD-AID-SOTF), for alleged
rampant extortion being commited by his men.

Aglipay, however, explained over the weekend that the relief of Pedrozo
involves an intricate investigation process.

De Leon admitted that he erroneously referred to the case of a Fil-Chinese
couple when he ordered an investigation against Pedroso and his men. He
said Pedrozo's case involves the "shakedown" of two women in Quiapo, Manila.

He said the Quiapo incident and other cases involving WPD operatives which
borders on kidnapping are now being handled by National Anti-Kidnapping
Task Force (NAKTF) head and incoming Interior and Government Secretary
Angelo Reyes, who will report his findings directly to President Arroyo.

De Leon tasked Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong, WPD commander, to
conduct a separate probe on the case of the Fil-Chinese couple.

In the meantime, Pedrozo will remain in his post pending the outcome of the
investigations conducted by Reyes and Bulaong, said De Leon.

Aglipay said the streamlining and strengthening of the anti-drug units in
the regional, provincial, municipal and city levels would immediately follow.