MANILA city workers on Wednesday uncovered a suspected drug den under a bridge along Juan Luna Street in Binondo, a few yards away from a police precinct.
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada ordered the immediate dismissal of the police commander in charge and admonished barangay officials, who said they knew nothing of the drug lair.
The drug den was discovered during a road clearing drive along Juan Luna and Sta. Elena streets and caught everyone by surprise.
“We did not expect this,” said Estrada, who led the road clearing drive.
City workers were tearing down makeshift shanties under the Muello de Binondo bridge when they stumbled on drug paraphernalia.
A 50-year-old man was arrested.
“We took action here against illegal drugs, just like what President Duterte is doing. Our countrymen now are at risk and we are one [with the President],” Estrada said.
Estrada admitted he was surprised by the brazenness of those who put up a drug den so close to a police precinct.
“Illegal drugs are prevalent. That’s why we should unite and take all of those involved down,” he said.
He urged barangay officials to cooperate with the police force.
“The police cannot do this alone. The barangay chairmen and barangay tanod must unite with us. They know in each barangay who are the drug pushers and users,” Estrada added.
Supt. Amante Daro, chief of the MPD Station 11, said the volume of drug paraphernalia confiscated showed the den was frequented by many users.
Daro relieved Chief Insp. Luis Guisic, chief of the police precinct located at the foot of the bridge, citing command responsibility. He was replaced by Chief Insp. Roy Calulot.
Estrada initiated road and sidewalk clearing operations in Manila to unclog the streets. He said that the “anarchy” in the streets must stop.
“Streets are made for vehicles and for people. Not for goods to be sold on the streets,” he said.