MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said it is in favor of relaxing the quarantine classification in Metro Manila from General Community Quarantine (GCQ) to Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

According to NCRPO Director PMGen. Vicente Danao Jr., this is to ease the load of police officers who have been monitoring quarantine controlled points for almost one year.

“It could be a very very welcome development for all of us at least. Siguro nakikita ng taas na nako-kontrol na natin ang virus. Hopefully, as long as hindi po natin maba-violate ang basic health protocols (Maybe the higher-ups are seeing we are controlling the virus. Hopefully, as long as we do not violate the basic health protocols),” he said.

Aside from this, easing the quarantine classification can also help them in focusing more on their anti-illegal drugs, anti-criminality, and anti-terrorism campaign.

Meanwhile, Danao also reiterated that the public should still follow the minimum health and safety protocols.

“Let us be responsible enough to really, follow the basic like wearing a facemask, face shield, social distancing,” he said. -AAC (with reports from Lea Ylagan)

MANILA, Philippines – Six individuals accused of operating a drug distribution network in Northern and Central Luzon were arrested by authorities, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.

The PNP identified the suspects as Marlon Miranda, 34; Joey Palaeyan, 33; Freddie Letta, 35; Carl Andrei Maico, 22; Lorraine Fulgencio, 24; and Via Jean Ortega, 19.

They were arrested on Wednesday in San Francisco, Concepcion in Tarlac in an operation jointly conducted by the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, the Provincial Enforcement Unit Tarlac PPO, and the Concepcion Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Seized from the suspects were bricks of suspected dried marijuana leaves weighing 158 kilograms with an estimated street value of P18.96 million.

Also confiscated from the suspects were another five bricks of suspected dried marijuana leaves with fruiting tops worth P600,000, five pieces of P1,000 with UV dust powder used as buy-bust money along with 145 pcs boodle money; one cellular phone used in the transaction of marijuana; one unit of Toyota Altis; one mobile phone; and 100 rounds of ammunition.

Citing a report from Police Brigadier General Valeriano de Leon, PNP chief General Debold Sinas said the operation was conducted after the suspects sold operatives, who posed as buyer, 25 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves worth P3 million.

“Further investigation revealed that these suspects are actively engaged in the Illegal drug trade activities, specifically Marijuana within Region 1 and 3,” Sinas added.

The arrested suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the PNP provincial drug enforcement unit.

The PNP said documents for the filing of complaints are also being prepared.

MANILA, Philippines – Police investigators will submit additional pieces of evidence before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office as it resumes Wednesday the preliminary investigation into the death of Christine Dacera, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Tuesday.

“Tomorrow is 27. We will be submitting all available evidence. Sana lang ma-appreciate ng fiscal for finally filing the information against the suspects. Kung wala naman eh definitely, the case will be dismissed,” NCRPO chief Major General Vicent Danao Jr. said.

Danao, however, refused to provide details on the matter.

The NCRPO chief also did not specify whether he has implemented the directive of PNP chief General Debold Sinas to relieve the head of the Makati Police and other police officers due to possible liability in the handling of Dacera’s case.

The PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) earlier recommended the relief of Makati Police chief Harold Depositar, two investigators of the case, and a medico-legal officer pending the investigation on their possible negligence and lapses in handling the case.

The preliminary investigation of Dacera’s case initially began on Jan. 13 but it was moved to Jan. 27 at the PNP’s request as it still awaits the results of forensic tests conducted on Dacera’s remains.

Seven of the 11 respondents to the case attended the initial preliminary investigation.

Dacera was found unconscious in the bathtub of a room in Makati hotel on January 1 after a night of partying with some friends. She was rushed to a hospital where she was declared dead.

Initial autopsy stated that Dacera’s cause of death was ruptured aortic aneurysm. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Lea Ylagan)