A POLICE precinct commander in Navotas and two of his men were relieved from their posts for failing to monitor the presence of a drug den in their respective area of jurisdiction.
But what drew the ire of Director Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), is that the failure to raid and put a stop on the illegal drugs trade in the area had resulted in the exploitation of minors in the illegal drugs trade.
“I ordered their relief for failure to deter the exploitation of minors and the presence of drug den in their area,” Eleazar told the Manila Bulletin in an interview.
Sacked were Inspector Resty Descalzo, the precinct commander of Navotas Police Community Precinct 3; and, Police Officer 3 Randy Belly and PO1 Jejomar Padasas, both of Station Intelligence Branch.
Eleazar said that had the policemen did their job well, the illegal drugs problem in their area would have not come to the point that children were used in illegal drugs activities.
He is referring to the rescue of 12 minors, aged four to 15, who were allegedly used as runners for shabu in a drug den near the Navotas Fish port. The 12 minors were rescued in the January 16 raid by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino has ordered the filing of cases against the parents of the rescued minors who were seen in video surveillance running errands for suspected drug pushers.
Aquino said the parents are clearly liable for the violation of Republic Act 7610, or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”.
“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,” said Aquino.
“PDEA emphasizes the important role of parents in keeping these kids 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,” he added.
The parents, if found guilty, could be punished with six to eight years imprisonment. (Aaron Recuenco)