CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija -Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, chief of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Central Luzon, vowed on Friday to pursue charges against policemen who were caught with the illegal drugs in Bulacan.
Aquino , who made his first command visit here, said the controversial confiscation of large volume of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu from policemen and supposed assets of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has boosted the morale of regional police operatives in their anti-illegal drug campaign.
“It serves as an accomplishment to us. You know when you got caught policemen with illegal drugs such as this, it is an accomplishment. At least, from here, we were able to cut their illegal acts,” Aquino said, saying they have found enough grounds to file charges against the 12 policemen and five alleged assets.
“Hopefully, we are able to file charges as there is no bail then,” Aquino said. The statements of NCRPO men, he said, are filled with conflicts.
He maintained that the NCRPO should present an arrested suspect if the operation was indeed a buy bust.
“What is surprising is that why the illegal drugs were in their assets’ gray Montero vehicle. Those illegal drugs should be in the possession of the policemen,” he stressed.
An investigation of the task force, headed by Senior Supt. Benjamin Hulipas, deputy regional director, Aquino said, also belied claim of a ranking NCRPO officer that a certain group is out to have them fighting.
He also stressed that the checkpoint set up in Baliwag, Bulacan was a legitimate police operation./PNA/RMA/ZST/MEG/PS