Magalong tell-all to reveal cops, officials involved in drug recycling

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, a former police officer, will reveal to senators in an executive session the identities of top-level officials involved in the illegal drug trade.

Magalong appeared before the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Thursday and detailed how rogue cops earn from drugs recycling.

“There is is this scheme called agaw-bato where those policemen either resell the drugs to the Chinese drug lords or underdeclare to their superiors the quantity confiscated so they can sell the drugs or use if for other purposes,” Magalong said.

Magalong, who said some of those policemen are still in active service, suggested a management audit within the Bureau of Corrections and installation of the most modern equipment like closed circuit television cameras and jamming equipment to monitor activities inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.

“We may spend about P300 million to purchase equipment but we will reap its benefits, like saving the youth from the drug menace,” said Magalong.

Sen. Franklin Drilon ordered Sec. Menardo Guevarra to look into Magalong’s suggestions and revise the Department of Justice’s budget for 2020, if necessary, to be able to purchase equipment.

Magalong added an official with unquestionable integrity and who won’t be swayed by bribes is needed to head the BuCor.

“BuCor is one of the dirtiest agencies in the government,” said former Justice Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre.