Adds some PNP officials “recycle” illegal drugs
(Eagle News)–A former head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Thursday, Sept. 19, said “all roads practically lead to Bilibid” where the illegal drug trade is concerned.
Benjamin Magalong, now the mayor of Baguio city, told a joint Senate panel hearing corruption in the Bureau of Corrections that based on a CIDG investigation when he was CIDG chief, Chinese drug personalities “continue to remotely manage the drug trade in the entire country” despite being detained in the national penitentiary.
According to Magalong, even outside, there were “rogue” policemen, including high-ranking police officers, who would recycle the illegal drugs seized in legitimate drug operations, and sell them in the market themselves in a scheme known as “agaw-bato.”
Magalong refused to name who these officials were, but said he would reveal the names in an executive session.
At press time, the joint Senate panel is in executive session.
Magalong also said some rogue policemen resort to kidnapping the drug lord, only to release them in exchange for money, typically P50 million.
Earlier, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino admitted in a separate panel hearing on the proposed PDEA budget that some PDEA officers took part in the recycling of illegal drugs.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Aquino’s statement was an admission of “failure of law enforcement.” With a report from Meanne Corvera
