Taguig Police told: Look into NBI tagging of BGC clubs as drug joints

In a bid to strengthen Taguig City’s anti-illegal drugs campaign, Mayor Lani Cayetano has ordered the Taguig Police to find out the truth behind the tagging of certain clubs in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) as alleged drug joints.

Mayor Lani likewise instructed Taguig Police Chief Senior Superintendent Arthur Felix Asis to determine the basis for the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) decision to put under surveillance the BGC clubs for apparent use and sale of party drugs ecstasy and green apple to its customers.

Aside from BGC, reports said the NBI likewise placed under its surveillance clubs in Quezon City and Makati City.

Mayor Lani said her administration has always been tough against anti-illegal drugs operation, and that such move to investigate the concerned clubs was meant to determine what necessary actions government must take to further curb the use and trade of illegal drugs in the city.

“We do not tolerate illegal drugs activities in Taguig so we are asking those in-charge of the investigations to inform us of the basis for such statement so we, in the local government, could take the necessary steps to address the situation,” Mayor Lani said.

Before Mayor Lani took over the helm of Taguig, the city had a bad reputation of being an illegal drugs “hot spot” mainly due to the extensive operations of the Tinga syndicate. It came to a point wherein shabu was apparently being sold even in sari-sari stores.

Upon assuming office, Mayor Lani strengthened the anti-illegal drugs campaign in the city and has even opened Taguig to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NBI to conduct raids against illegal narcotics operations.

In a matter of two years, her administration’s efforts resulted in the arrest of prominent members of the Tinga Drug Syndicate, among others were: Joana Tinga, Henry Tinga, and Elisa “Ely” Tinga.

Dialogue with club owners

The local executive also ordered the Taguig Police to hold a dialogue with BGC club owners to give them opportunity to be heard regarding the matter.

Asis, for his part, said they are set to meet with bar owners operating in BGC to discuss coordinating measures to prevent the spread of illegal drugs, especially the so-called “party-drugs” in their establishments.

“We have been strongly pursuing illegal drug traders and users in the city. And in this meeting, we will discuss coordination efforts between the police and the securities officials of high-end establishments to monitor and possibly apprehend drug users and sellers,” Asis said. ###