PDEA, CHINA’S ANTI- NARCOTICS BODY SIGN PROTOCOL OF COOPERATION
PHILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Isidro Lapeña and Hu Minglang, director general of the Narcotics Control Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China signed on October 20 in Beijing a protocol on cooperation to deal with drug crimes between the two nations. Under the protocol, which will be in effect for five years, the two countries agreed to share information and exchange data on drug crimes, including an updated list and complete profile, if possible, of drug suspects and the status of arrested drug personalities who are citizens of the two countries. Lapeña said this would be for the purpose of cooperation in the conduct of investigations, assistance in repatriation of drug criminals, and xchange and training of narcotics investigators. They also agreed to hold annual meetings if necessary.
2 SUSPECTS KILLED IN BUY- BUST
TWO suspects were killed, while 48 others were arrested in four separate Quezon City Police District (QCPD) anti-illegal drug operations this weekend. QCPD Director Senior Supt.Guillermo Eleazar said in the first operation Arnold “Wacky” Ducusin Saavedra, 37, a resident of Barangay Sto. Cristo, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, was killed after he fired at policemen in a raid at Old Samson Road corner Riverview, Barangay Apolonio Samson in Quezon City. Investigation showed that at about 3:20 p.m of Friday, Raymond Pakibot Sanbuenaventura, 25, and Raymond Sagum, 26, tricycle drivers, both residing in Barangay Tatalon, were apprehended by village executive officer Chito Baltazar and security officer Arvin Añola for driving out- of-line a red tricycle with plate number TJ-546. During an inspection, they were found in possession of two plastic sachets of shabu. On questioning, Sagum and Sanbuenaventura pointed to a certain “Wacky” as their source of shabu and also the location of a drug den on Old Samson Road. The second suspect killed was Jose Cabigti Torres, 36, resident of Freedom Park 3, Barangay Batasan, Quezon City. He was on the drug watch list of QCPD Station 6. He was reported killed after shooting at operatives who conducted a buy-bust at around 12:44 a.m. Saturday in his house.
SAN JUAN DRUG USERS UNDERGO SPIRITUAL COUNSELING
SAN Juan Vice Mayor Janella Ejercito-Estrada said the city government has partnered with Christ’s Commission Fellowship (CCF) to provide spiritual counselling to hundreds of the city’s drug users who have surrendered. This is being done through the CCF’s Sipag at Pag-asa, a faith-based program that started two weeks ago. Estrada said that so far, a total of 663 drug suspects (542 of whom are male) have surrendered to the police; 37 drug suspects have been arrested with one killed during an encounter with operatives; and 13 drug suspects have been killed by unidentified assailants. The city government over the weekend conducted mandatory drug tests on elected officials and appointed personnel. Estrada and Mayor Guia Gomez led officials in taking the drug test to show that they are “serious in eradicating illegal drugs in the city.” Officials and employees found positive for use of illegal drugs will have to undergo rehabilitation for six months, but will be dismissed or suspended from their jobs if they refused to do so as stated in a city ordinance, Estrada said. Gomez recalled that at least 21 city hall employees had been dismissed from their jobs after testing positive for drug use in the last four years.
TAGUIG POLICE NAB 48 DRUG SUSPECTS
AT least 23 drug suspects were arrested, while 25 others voluntarily surrendered in a three-hour police operation at the railway area in Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Saturday morning. Southern Police District spokesman Supt. Jenny Tecson said the arrested persons yielded 22 sachets of shabu, two hand guns, one digital weighing scale and other drug paraphernalia. Eight motorcycles were impounded, she added. The suspects were detained and would be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.