Condominium managers asked to report drug-dealing tenants

Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), on Wednesday asked the management and security officers of all condominiums in Metro Manila to cooperate with policemen following the arrest of three suspected drug pushers who yielded some P3.4 million worth of shabu.

Eleazar said that the recent buy-bust operation bolstered past intelligence reports that condominium units were being used as safehouses of drug suspects.

He identified those arrested as Graciano Rombo, 34; Roderick Pisig, 35; and, Alican Pagayaw, 31. They were arrested in a buy-bust that occurred early morning of Wednesday at the parking area of Harbor Square, across Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex (CCPP).

Seized from them were five packs of shabu, each containing 100 grams of suspected shabu; two units of cellular phones, and a sports utility vehicle.

“The arrested suspects are operating in the southern part of Metro Manila. Their modus operandi is to deliver illegal drugs to the pushers who are mostly, tenants of different condominiums in Metro Manila.

“They are now using condominium units as hide outs to protect and avoid any detection of their illegal activities due to a strict security measures,” he added.

Eleazar said the operation started when an asset of the NCRPO-Regional Drugs Enforcement Unit was able to contact the suspects to purchase some 200 grams of shabu.

“The transaction was supposed to be in one of the condominiums in Paranaque City but since it was too close to Camp Bagong Diwa, the suspects changed their plans and venue,” said Eleazar.

As soon as the transaction was completed, the policemen announced the arrest of the three suspects. Seized from them were 200 grams of shabu.

Eleazar said that 300 more grams of shabu were seized from the suspects after the arrest was announced. The confiscated shabu is worth P3.4 million.

During the investigation, Eleazar said that they found out that the illegal drugs came from Cavite, with some condominium tenants as outlets.

Eleazar said the cooperation of the security managers of condominiums in Metro Manila have resulted in various successful operations in the past. This, he said, is a proof of what the cooperation of police and the stakeholders would accomplish.

“With the cooperation of the Condominium Managements, nakakapagsagawa tayo ng mga buy bust operation in the past that resulted in the arrest of drug personalities,” said Eleazar.

“So we are appealing to them to continue doing so,” he stressed.

Eleazar explained that the cooperation of the condominium managers and security officers is also vital in the safety of all their tenants and reputation of their business.