6 EPD antidrug cops get new task: Ease road traffic

From high-adrenalin raids and spy work, the only action they get to see now is the flow of vehicles in the streets.

The Eastern Police District (EPD) yesterday said six antinarcotics officers have been relieved of their posts last week following revelations of alleged shenanigans by ambushed Daily Tribune reporter and Pasig City resident Fernan Angeles.

The sacked personnel, all members of the EPD’s Special Operations team in charge of raiding suspected drug dens, have been reassigned to the cities of Marikina, Mandaluyong and San Juan, with “specific instructions for them to undertake traffic duties,” said Senior Supt.

Danilo Maligalig.

SPO2 Sandy Baybayon of the EPD investigation unit identified the six policemen as SPO1 Crispin Pio, PO2 Jerry Rebosura, PO2 Andrei Cawa, PO1 Arlan Arriola, PO1 Marlon Quibete and PO1 Rey Cabarles.

Aside from the six, the head of Pasig’s anti-illegal drugs unit, Chief Insp. Joel Quintero, was also removed from his post, said Maligalig, chief of the EPD directorial staff.

“We did not disregard (Angeles’) allegations,” Maligalig said referring to the reporter’s claim linking members of the Pasig police to the drug trade, made after Angeles was mauled and shot by three men on the night of March 11 near his house.

The EPD later declared the case closed nine days later following the arrest of two suspects. Kristine Felisse Mangunay

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