WAR ON DRUGS

ROXAS CITY: The Philippine National Police is applying a new tactic in identifying alleged drug dealers and users: Public “drop boxes.” The system was first reported in July in Quezon City, but has since spread to at least two cities and several towns in the archipelago. In Roxas City, anonymous informants slipped in the names of at least 36 of their neighbors in the first two weeks after the drop boxes were installed in late August. Police in the towns of Pontevedra and Maayon in Capiz province have also installed boxes, and plans are underway for a drop box to be installed inside the city hall of Iloilo City. The Philippine Commission on Human Rights has criticized the system, citing its potential for fueling arbitrary arrests. (Carlos Conde) BUTUAN CITY: Police arrested two persons suspected to be involved in the illegal drug trade in Caraga region over the weekend. Chief Supt Rolando Felix, regional director of Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13), said elements of Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Police, nabbed one Dante Dayot in Barangay Talisay, Nasipit, and a Victor Millena in Barangay Doña Rosario, Tubay both for violating RA No. 9165. (Mike U. Crismundo)

CEBU CITY: The random drug testing of Cebu City Hall employees resumed Monday after it was temporarily discontinued for several weeks. Over 300 employees under the General Services Office (GSO) participated in the tests conducted by the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (Cosap). Cosap chief Garry Lao said they halted the drug testing for several weeks in order to achieve the “element of surprise.” The drug testing for GSO employees has been requested by its chief Ronald Malacora and was approved by Mayor Tomas Osmeña. (PNA)

MANILA: An alleged drug pusher was killed in a drug sting operation at no. 97-B Imelda Street Tondo, Manila Monday night. Police identified the fatality as Raymond Caoile, 20. According to police, Caolie was shot and killed after he attacked PO1 Leo Anthony Candelaria who was posing as buyer. Raymond was rushed to the Tondo Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival. The victim’s brother, Larry Caoile, 33, and another accomplice, Jollibee Reyes, 27, were nabbed during the same operation. Seized from the suspects were six small heat-sealed plastic sachets containing what is suspected as shabu, three aluminum foil strips, one glass pipe, the ₱200 marked money, and a .38 caliber revolver with six live ammunitions. (Glendel Nazario)