Pubdate: Sun, 25 Jul 2004 Source: People's Journal (Philippines) Copyright: 2004 People's Journal Contact: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp Website: http://www.journal.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3381 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.) MANHUNT ON FOR KALBHURO COPS A new breed of cops-turned-gangsters are now the object of a massive crackdown ordered by Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo T. Reyes. Known as "Kalbhuro Cops" or short for "Kalawit, Bangketa, Hulidap, Robbery and Orbit Cops," these rogue police officers are now the bane of law-abiding citizens particularly in Metro Manila. Reyes vowed that "no stone will be left unturned" in the operation to get the corrupt policemen, especially those operating in Metro Manila. "Kalbhuro Cops" have replaced the notorious "Ninja Cops" known for their illegal activities in the National Capital Region. "Ninja Cops" gained notoriety for their involvement in robbery-holdup operations in the metropolis in the early 80s, victimizing mostly rich businessmen and tourists and disappearing without a trace. The "Kalbhuro Cops" are involved in robbery-holdups, extortion, shakedowns, planting of evidence and even kidnapping-for-ransom. Deputy Director General Edgar B. Aglipay, Philippine National Police deputy chief for administration and concurrent commander of the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force, said the "Kalbhuro Cops" are now the target of a massive counter-intelligence operation by his men since most of these rogues disguise their illegal activities as anti-narcotics operations. Aglipay said the scalawags prey on either suspected drug personalities or innocent civilians whom they snatch off the streets and threaten to charge with a non-bailable offense if they fail to come across. "These rogues are also known for planting evidence on their targets who are left with no recourse but to heed their demand for fear of being jailed even on trumped-up charges," said Aglipay. The AID-SOTF intelligence division headed by Senior Supt. Federico E. Laciste Jr. is spearheading the campaign to identify and arrest these scalawags, he said. Laciste, in a talk with the People's Journal, said they are now coordinating their crackdown on "Kalbhuro Cops" with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the National Bureau of Investigation, the PNP Directorate for Intelligence, the PNP Intelligence Group, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the Dangerous Drugs Board and the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. "The crackdown is ongoing due to a very alarming increase in reports of hulidap, bangketa and extortion activities involving rogue policemen using anti-narcotics operations as their cover," Laciste said. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin