Taguig police chief, 8 antinarcotic cops relieved over drugs

Police Director Leonardo Espina. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine National Police chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome ordered the relief of the Taguig City police chief and nine other policemen over their alleged involvement in the “recycling of confiscated drugs.”

Taguig City police chief, Senior Superintendent Tomas Apolinario Jr., and nine members of the Station Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group would be relieved from their posts, National Capital Region Police Office chief, Police Director Leonardo Espina said.

Earlier, Police Officer 3 Alexander Saez accused Apolinario and his men of making money by reselling seized illegal drugs.

Espina said he has formed the Special Investigation Task Group to investigate Saez’s “serious” allegations. Saez will be included in the investigation.

Espina gave the team 30 days to resolve the case.