Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has directed members of the Manila Police District’s new anti-drug unit to undergo refresher courses on anti-drug laws and human rights.
Estrada issued this directive as Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa announced that police will launch its “Oplan Double Barrel Reloaded” anti-drug drive after a monthlong suspension ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte.
“You’ve not been called ‘Manila’s Finest’ for nothing. Do your duties well, but preserve your honor and dignity by respecting human rights and the laws you took an oath to uphold,” the mayor told the members of the MPD’s District Drug Enforcement Unit.
Estrada warned he will personally discipline any MPD member engaged in illegal activities such as the “tokhang for ransom” scheme, which led to the controversial death of Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo and Duterte’s order to suspend “Oplan Double Barrel.”
“I will see to it that you will regret everything you have done,” the mayor warned the policemen.
MPD director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel said Estrada tasked him to subject all members of the MPD-DDEU to an orientation seminar to be handled by the Commission on Human Rights, Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
“They will be undergoing a two-day course on implementation of the anti-drug laws, with emphasis to be given on observance on the rules of procedure, human rights, and the rules of court,” Coronel said.
The MPD chief pointed out Estrada wanted him to ensure the drug enforcement teams “shall conduct their operations aboveboard, monitor their operations and their accomplishments, and always coordinate with PDEA.”
“Avoid at all cost instances like what happened to the Jee Ick Joo, tokhang for ransom, and extortion or ‘hulidap,’” Coronel continued. “We’ll have to monitor them closely and act on them strongly if needed.”
As to the newly formed police unit, Coronel said each member has been screened thoroughly and has no pending or past criminal or administrative cases.
They were also cleared by the PNP-Internal Affairs Service, the intelligence community, and even the People’s Law Enforcement Board and the Ombudsman, he added.
The DDEU at the MPD headquarters is composed of 20 policemen, while Drug Enforcement Teams at the city’s 11 police substations will be composed of 12 to 15 personnel each.
“This is a select group of MPD personnel whose integrity, competence and knowledge in drug enforcement is beyond reproach,” Coronel stressed.
He also said the renewed anti-drug operations the MPD-DDEU will carry out “will be meticulously planned and executed,” unlike last July when Oplan Double Barrel was first introduced.
“Last July, we had to scramble for it. This time, we are preparing for this more carefully, more meticulously, so that we’ll have operations that will be considered aboveboard and following or compliant with rules and regulations,” Coronel said.
Asked if the anti-drug campaign’s suspension led to a rash of crimes, Coronel said the MPD noticed a slight increase in theft and robberies “but not that drastically.”
“Probably around 5 to 8 percent (increase), not like in other cities in Metro Manila. Hopefully, with the renewed and reinvigorated Oplan Double Barrel, we’ll be able to again maintain a low crime rate in the city and this time, we’ll be coordinating strictly with the PDEA, with the Office of the City Prosecutor and PDEA and the DILG,” he said.