ISLAMIC CENTER IN QUIAPO UNDER DRUG WATCH

WESTERN Police District Director Pedro Bulaong has ordered his men to
closely monitor the Islamic Center in Quiapo and other areas in the city
tagged as drug havens to prevent drug-related violence.

Bulaong issued the directive to allay fears that the shootout that occurred
in Carlos Palanca St. last week, which resulted in the death of a suspected
big-time drug pusher, is likely to be followed by more atrocities.

Suspected drug pusher Morog Kael, 24, was shot dead by responding cops
during the firefight while retired police Col. Macacna Lucman and Datu
Amerol Ambiong, chair of the Metro Manila Peace and Coordinating Council,
and two other civilians were wounded.

"We would never allow such incidents to happen again. Places believed to
have been used as drug havens of these criminals are now being closely
watched. I'm warning these criminals to stop their illegal activities
because my men are keeping their eyes on them," Bulaong said.

Aside from the Islamic Center in Quiapo, police are also closely monitoring
Pandacan, Tondo and Binondo where drug syndicates reportedly deliver the
bulk of their stuff.

WPD spokesman Chief Insp. Floriano Agunod said uniformed and plainclothes
cops would be spread out to these places to ensure that drug addicts and
pushers would be eradicated.

Agunod added that barangay authorities have also vowed to intensify the
anti-drug campaign by giving the police vital information on the suspected
users and pushers in their respected places.

Agunod went on to say that Bulaong also warned cops not to spare their
colleagues who are guilty of protecting drug syndicates.

"Mananagot din sila kapag napatunayan ni General Bulaong na hindi nila
hinuli ang kapwa nila pulis na kasabwat ng mga drug syndicates," Agunod said.

Sources in the WPD said several drug operations failed because rogue cops
tipped their cohorts about the raids.