Four killed, 8 cops fired, 1,000 surrender in Baguio drug war

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY-- Killings are still rising in this tourism resort as the government intensified its war against illegal drugs.  

This, as more than a thousand drug pushers and users surrendered or were arrested here, with four killed in legitimate police operations.

City police director George Daskeo bared this saying other killings are being investigated.

He added eight of his personnel were also relieved as part of “internal cleansing.” He did not say if relieved cops, who were not named, were involved in extrajudicial killings of drug suspects.

Unsolved heinous crimes committed in the city in recent months are all being monitored and investigated, Daskeo told Mayor Mauricio Domogan in a meeting after the city’s chief executive ordered him to probe rising killings in the city most of which have been done in broad daylight.

Crime rates have decreased and 24 drug-affected barangays are on the process of being delisted, the Baguio City Police Office reported during the 3rd quarter Peace and Order council meeting last week at city hall.

A 38.21% crime volume decrease was noted, with 1,943 crimes committed January to August 2016, as compared to 3,145 January to August last year. 

A hike in crimes in February was due to activities of the annually celebrated Panagbenga.     

Lowering crime rate was attributed to police visibility, coordination with barangay officials, police substations and lambat-sibat activities, a BCPO report said.

In cases of children in conflict with the law; those caught were referred to their respective barangays, CSWDO, school guidance counselors; received by their parents or guardians, ferried home; rendered community service; paid the violation dues or admitted to counseling.

Earlier, all 128 barangays were identified as drug-affected.

Drug suspects in 24 barangays: Kabayanihan, Campo Filipino, Lourdes Proper, San Roque Village, Quezon Hill proper, Guisad Surong, Guisad Central, Camdas, East and West Quirino Hill, Pinsao Pilot Project, Holy Ghost Proper, Upper Gen. Luna, Country Club Village, Apugan-Loakan, Happy Hallow, Upper Dagsian, Imelda Marcos, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Aurora Hill Proper, AZCKO, Lower Gen. Luna, Happy Homes and ABCR, are now undergoing “clearing.”

Suspects have to get certifications from barangays and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council, it was known. 

In a PDEA report, information officer Joseph Calulut said shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and marijuana (Cannabis sativa) remain the most used by nightspots partygoers as recreational illegal drugs.

Public and private offices, schools and pharmacies are constantly monitored.

PDEA director Gil Castro said there were accidental discoveries of marijuana being grown in pots during joint operations with police wherein drug personalities including foreigners were arrested.

On jail space needs, it was known that the number of male and female inmates ballooned due to drug-related arrests, though still manageable according to jail authorities.

Domogan said Shalom house may be used for non-violent cases, and coordinated with the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

The meeting was attended by the mayor, councilor Mike Lawana and representatives from police, Dept. of Interior and Local Government,  National Police Commission, City Prosecutor’s Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Information Agency, PDEA, Highway Patrol Group and CSWDO.