Pubdate: Mon, 05 Sep 2005
Source: Sun.Star Baguio (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005, Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2005/02/27/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1942
Author: Danilo V. Adorador Iii
Cited: Philippine National Police http://www.pnp.gov.ph
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Philippines

CITY COUNCIL WANTS ANTI-DRUG CHIEF OUT

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The City Council of Cagayan de Oro has had
enough of Superintendent Rene Orbe, the controversial regional
director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 10.

A resolution calling for the immediate relief of Orbe is underway in
the City Council, whose members took turns rebuking the embattled
anti-narcotics head during the regular session Monday.

Orbe will be called to the City Council next week to explain the
series of extortion and bribery charges facing the PDEA 10.

The councilors--who have earned the reputation of conducting a
courtroom-style inquiry--are expected to grill Orbe on the Jabagat
case.

His presence at the City Council inquiry was demanded on the pain of
being declared as persona non-grata by the City Government.

The PDEA 10 chief earlier admitted giving P20,000 to the brother of
drug-suspect Eric Jabagat, as a way of returning the alleged P30,000
bribe money previously given to a PDEA 10 agent identified as police
officer Isah Taurac.

Orbe's spending of funds from his own pocket was seen by most local
officials as a cover-up of the alleged extortion done by Taurac.

In recounting the August 21 botched entrapment operation against
Taurac, opposition councilor cum broadcaster Zaldy Ocon described the
PDEA 10 as a "pitiless" agency made up of crooked officers."

Councilors Reynaldo Advincula and Edgar Cabanlas said it would be
better for the PDEA 10 chief and his agents to disappear altogether.

"They have been giving shame to this city. They are victimizing the
city residents," Councilor Advincula said, echoing reports that case
downgrading is prevalent in the anti-drug agency.

"The invitation to Colonel Orbe should be phrased like this: You are
invited to the City Council to answer why you should not be declared
as persona non-grata," Councilor Cabanlas said.

Along with Orbe, officials from the National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI) 10 and the Police Regional Office will also be called.

In phone interviews last Friday and Sunday, Orbe clarified that he
didn't grant or sought favors from any local officials or top lawyers
handling drug cases, saying he wasn't in the business of doing so.

The regional PDEA 10 official also said he welcomes Caisip's move to
initiate an investigation into the incident and asked that the
complaint be submitted in order to speedily resolve the extortion case. 
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