Rep. Ace Barbers
SURIGAO del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers today bared there now exist a prevailing scheme among so-called “ninja-cops” and their “ninja-informants” to declare just 30 percent of their drug seizures in every anti-drug operation, recycle them, and convert them into cash.
In a TV interview, the solon from Mindanao said he was informed by some top ranking officials from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the PNP Drug Enforcement Group about the unwritten and discreet policy by rogue anti-drug agents to keep 70 percent of every drug haul as savings and later recycle them into the streets to make money.
“May nagsabi sa akin na may kunchabahan na ngayon ang mga “ninja-cops” at “ninja-informants” na mag-deklara lang ng 30 porsyento sa bawat malalaking huli ng illegal na droga. Kung totoo ito, ito’y isang karumal-dumal na gawain ng ating mga tiwaling anti-drug law enforcers,” Barbers said.
“Ibig sabihin nito, ang 30 percent ng drug na nasabat ay para sa accomplishment ng anti-drug operating unit at ang 70 percent ay para sa recycling and eventual conversion into cash para sa mga ninja cops at ninja informants,” he added.
During last Tuesday’s Lower House hearing conducted by the Committee on Dangerous Drugs, panel chairman Barbers was informed by a long-time PDEA and Police informant that recycling of drugs has been happening 20 years ago since he started the job as an anti-drug “asset.”
The moto propio hearing was prompted by a disclosure by PDEA chief Moro Lazo that two of PDEA’s informants have offered him huge anti-drug “jobs” in exchange for a 30 percent reward of every drug seizure.
Lazo said he rejected the informants’ proposal and told the latter that he would only give monetary rewards which are allowed under PDEA policy.
Barbers said his panel intends to craft new laws or amendments to Republic Act 9165 into order to strengthen it further and plug the loopholes and flaws of the law to prevent or deter anti-drug law enforcers from carrying out drug recycling schemes.
