Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba, director of the Police Regional Office 7, warned all policemen in Central Visayas that their entire unit would suffer if any of them is caught recycling confiscated illegal drugs.

Alba issued the statement on Wednesday, Dec. 14, following the arrest of the head of the Metro Manila Southern District head of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and two other agents in a raid in Taguig City and the confiscation of more than P9 million of shabu which were reportedly being sold right in their office.

Alba said illegal drug recycling is unacceptable and must be dealt with drastically as policemen are among those entrusted to fight the illegal drugs proliferation in the country.

He explained that every police officer must serve as their fellow cop's keepers to protect the integrity not only of their unit but the entire PNP as an organization.

"Drug recycling, drug pushing and keeping of drug evidence and other similar acts involving any of our personnel require drastic action under the doctrine of command responsibility," said Alba.

"Our Chief PNP (General Rodolfo Azurin, Jr.) is very clear about this, the PNP should be at the forefront of the campaign against illegals drugs because what is at stake is the future of our youth who are among those affected but also of our country," he added.

Drastic actions

Based on his instruction to the Deputy Regional Director for Operations Police Col. Noel Flores, Alba emphasized two immediate actions once a policeman is caught recycling drugs.

First is the immediate relief of the entire unit where the errant cop is assigned.

"This is without prejudice to the filing of appropriate charges to the culprit/s and his/her superiors," said Alba.

Second, once two units were relieved in an area or under a mother unit, the Provincial Director, the City Director and the commander of the Regional Mobile Forces Battalion will be recommended for relief from his post.

"This directive is effective immediately," said Alba.

Ninja cops

The PNP has long been haunted by allegations of ninja cops in its ranks--or those involved in the recycling of illegal drugs.

Last month, a police sergeant assigned to the intelligence unit of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group in Metro Manila was implicated in the confiscation of some P6.7 billion worth of shabu in Manila.

The controversy did not end there as at least two cops were accused of stealing from the Manila drug haul of around 42 kilos worth more than P285 million. The shabu, however, was recovered after the alleged attempt to steal was captured in CCTV.