Pubdate: Mon, 29 Aug 2005
Source: Sunstar Cagayan De Oro (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Sunstar Cagayan De Oro.
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2983
Author: Danilo V. Adorador III
Cited: Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency http://www.pdea.gov.ph
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Philippines

ORO OFFICIALS FEEL ANTI-DRUG CHIEF 'MUST GO'

THERE is a growing consensus among the majority of Cagayan de Oro
public officials that Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 10
chief, Superintendent Rene Orbe, should be booted out from office "as
soon as possible."

Two administration officials, who spoke to this paper on condition of
anonymity, on Sunday said Orbe has to go.

"Though I think he can only be faulted because of command
responsibility," one official said.

The other official, however, went further by raising suspicions that
Orbe had a hand in the series of bribery scandals that rocked the
anti-drug agency in recent weeks.

"His continued presence there is a mockery of the police system. It
will not anymore help the PDEA 10, but will create distrust among the
residents who now see this agency as the lair of hold-uppers, bandits
and extortionists masquerading as law enforcers," the official said.

"If he will not leave the office, then it is better for PDEA 10 to
look for another place outside Cagayan de Oro since most of the
extortion victims are residents of this city."

The anti-drug agency is yet again drawn to the hot seat with the
latest involvement of one of its agents in a bribery charge last week.

Undercover

The latest development had also drawn concerns from Mayor Vicente
Emano himself who said he will relay PDEA-10's problems to Camp Crame.

PDEA 10 agent identified as PO2 Isah Taurac was caught accepting a
P30,000 bribe from 34-year-old suspected drug pusher Eric Jabagat in
an entrapment operation last week.

No arrest, however, was made when Police Officer 2 Taurac reportedly
resisted the undercover agents who took part of the supposed
entrapment operation done at the back of just right at the back of the
PDEA office in Pelaez sports center.

Orbe, in a press conference Friday, admitted that while there were
plans to conduct an entrapment operation on one of their agents, this
wasn't pursued.

He did not elaborate except by saying the supposed bribe money was
given by the Jabagat family "in good faith."

The region's anti-drug czar also admitted that he personally shelled
out an amount from his pockets to pay for the supposed bribe money
given to Taurac and that the same was was also done "in good faith."

"Nag-withdraw ko sa akong personal nga kuwarta (I withdrew my personal
money)," Orbe said.

Surprised

Orbe supposedly did this after being reminded by Regional NBI 10
Director Virgilio Mendez that one of the PDEA 10 agents received cash
from a suspected drug pusher.

But in an interview with Moreto Jabagat, brother of arrested suspect,
he confirmed that bribe money was indeed given to a PDEA agent.

He said it was P10,000 cash applied with fluorescent powder when he
handed it to the lawman. He said it was Taurac who received the money,
which was placed in an envelope.

"After receiving the money, he pocketed the money and ran along with
his fellow agents towards their office on the far corner," Moreto
said. The P10,000 was supposed to be the last installment to the
P30,000 both men had agreed on.

He said he was surprised that nobody among the law enforcers who
watched him during that time arrested the PDEA agents.

Charges

Prior to this, Jabagat said he had already given Taurac P20,000 right
at the PDEA 10's kitchen area.

PDEA 10's image suffered heavily last month when two of its agents,
police officers Sarah Jane Bajo, 33 and Irving Castuera, 33, were
nabbed by NBI 10 for alleged kidnapping and extortion. The other
suspect, police officer Vicente Hallasgo Jr.,34, is a member of
Cagayan de Oro Police Office (Cocpo).

The 40-year-old complainant, Luz Lagbas Odchimar, alleged that the
suspects had arrested her for drug charges and demanded P70,000 from
her in exchange for her freedom.

Odchimar is the sister of Misamis Oriental First District
Representative Danilo Lagbas.

Orbe denied the suspects' arrest of Odchimar was sanctioned by his
office.

Lately, a group of lawyers told this paper Saturday that that they are
planning to file charges against Orbe, believing that he took part in
the bribes that PDEA 10 agents received in the past.

"Kanang nahitabo karon gamay ra kana...that is just a tip of the
iceberg," one of the lawyers said. 
- ---