PNP probes cop allegedly involved in West Crame drug dens but…

THE Philippine National Police are still investigating a policeman who was tagged by earlier reports as one of the operators of drug dens dismantled on Monday by anti-narcotics operatives near the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame.

PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor clarified reports saying PO2 Ronaldo Baltazar was among those arrested in the raid led by the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force in Barangay (village) West Crame in San Juan City.

“As far as the AIDSOTF’s report is concerned, no police [officer] was arrested in the raid,” Mayor said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

Baltazar is currently assigned at the PNP Headquarters Support Service, a police unit based in Camp Crame.

Reporters who covered the raid said Baltazar was one of those 33 individuals who were rounded up. He was handcuffed by his colleagues but was later released for lack of evidence.

AIDSOTF personnel swooped down on 12 houses allegedly converted into drug dens based on search warrants issued by the Pasig Regional Trial Court.

The raiding team seized an undetermined amount of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) in several sachets, drug paraphernalia, including several tooters and improvised burners.

“There are elements of commission of crime. The presence of a person in a crime scene doesn’t necessarily mean he’s the perpetrator of the crime,” said Mayor.

“Let’s give the benefit of the doubt. Though based on the pronouncement of the PNP chief, we will not tolerate policemen who commit crimes,” he added.

Still, Mayor said the PNP will look into Baltazar’s alleged involvement in the operation of West Crame drug dens.

Newly appointed Interior Secretary Mel Sarmiento personally went to the area after the big-time raid was conducted by 160 officers from AIDSOTF and the National Capital Region Police Office.

“May I just emphasize, we do not tolerate policemen involved in crimes, especially drugs. They have no room in the police service. I can assure you,” he said. Julliane Love de Jesus