Three police officers based in Navotas City will be relieved for failing to track down and shut down a drug den that allegedly used minors in illegal drug operations, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde ordered today.
The fired cops were identified as Inspector Resty Descalzo, commander of the Navotas City police community precinct, PO3 Randy Belly, and PO1 Jejomar Padasas of the Navotas City police station intelligence branch, Sunstar reported.
Albayalde said that it was unlikely that these cops weren’t aware of the minors’ involvement in the drug trade, ABS-CBN News reported.
“If that has been happening to your area for so many years I cannot accept any excuse on that,” he told reporters.
On Jan. 16, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested 16 adult suspects and rounded up 12 minors during an operation in Navotas. The youngest was four years old.
The PDEA said in a statement posted on Saturday that based on their actual surveillance footage, the rescued minors were allegedly used as drug runners, pushers, or even drug den maintainers. They would also allegedly join in the pot sessions and facilitate them.
The kids are now in Navotas City’s Bahay Pag-asa, a residential facility for children in conflict with the law.
The PDEA will also file criminal complaints against the children’s parents.
PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino is convinced that the parents are liable and have violated Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
If found guilty, the parents could face prison time of at least 6 years and a day up to 8 years.
“Child neglect is the simplest form of child abuse. Parents or guardians are answerable if they are unable to protect their children against abuse, exploitation and discrimination, or worse, they are the ones committing such acts,” Aquino said.
Aquino said that the children belong to their homes under their parents’ care and not out in the streets where they’re exposed to danger at a young age.
The PDEA also emphasized the important role of parents in keeping their children off the streets.
“The parents, as head of the basic unit of society, must provide their children the basic services needed for a good quality of life,” Aquino added.
Reader Interactions