3 warrants on dealer

The NCRPO chief said Castro will be arrested upon her return to Manila.

Alleged drug queen Guia Gomez-Castro managed to slip in and out of the country despite having at least three standing warrants of arrest issued by various courts since 2002.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Friday revealed the warrants against Castro, who was earlier identified as the alleged “drug queen” of Manila protected by the so-called “ninja cops.”

Eleazar even shared copies of the warrants issued against her by Quezon City courts.

The police official, however, explained the existence of the warrants did not mean that she was automatically barred from leaving the country. He said that a hold-departure order (HDO) needs to be requested.

The absence of an HDO may indicate neglect or tolerance from officials, however. The NCRPO chief said Castro will be arrested upon her return to Manila.

The latest warrant against Castro was issued on 6 June 2011 by Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 43 Judge Manuel Sta. Cruz for violation of Batas Pambansa (BP) 22 or the Anti-Bouncing Check Law. A bail of P30,000 was recommended.

Two other warrants were issued on 14 March 2003 also for BP 22 by the same Quezon City court, but issued by another judge Corazon Romano and on 1 March 2002 for violation of Republic Act 6426 or the Dangerous Drugs Act issued by Emilio Leachon Jr., presiding judge of Quezon City RTC Branch 224.

In the 2003 warrant, Castro was indicted for issuing a check amounting to P406,008 to one Robert Singh, but the check was not honored by a bank for insufficient funds.

Castro is an elected barangay chairwoman in Sampaloc, Manila, but is currently on leave. She left the country, according to the Bureau of Immigration, for Bangkok last 21 September or before she was tagged as a “drug queen.”

However, with the warrants of arrest against Castro, the government has the authority to arrest and extradite her.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) had issued a lookout bulletin against Castro.

Manila Police District (MPD) director Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. on Thursday identified Castro as the “drug queen” of Manila earlier targeted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

PDEA director general Aaron Aquino said the “drug queen” was the one purchasing narcotics from “ninja cops” or the rogue policemen involved in recycling seized illegal drugs, particularly shabu.

Aquino said Castro has been involved in the illegal drug trade for more than a decade now and had earned more than P1 billion.

The drug queen’s illegal drugs operation is so extensive and profitable that in two streets in Manila alone, Aquino said she disposes two to three kilos of illegal drugs a week.

PDEA has also identified 17 suppliers of illegal drugs that are connected to the “drug queen” and six identified policemen. He said other cops could also be involved.

Aquino added the drug queen is also very influential and powerful and knows a lot of politicians, including those from the Liberal Party.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde, meanwhile, said he is ready to face the Senate over allegations hounding the police force, particularly on the “ninja cops” disgrace.

Albayalde, who himself felt alluded to by revelations in the Senate over the “agaw bato” scheme by rogue cops, vowed to give clarifications as he stressed the intensified PNP internal cleansing program.

“The PNP’s internal cleansing will be relentless and will continue on until all rogue cops, especially those involved in illegal drugs, will be weeded out from the service and charged in court,” Albayalde said.

The Senate’s Blue Ribbon and Justice Committees will invite Albayalde during the resumption of the hearing on the supposed anomalies in the New Bilibid Prison and the alleged existence of “ninja cops.”

Sen. Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa had said there were speculations that Albayalde was among those named by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, former head of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, to be involved in illegal drugs.

In 2014, Albayalde was administratively relieved as Pampanga police director for command responsibility after several of his men were accused of being involved in drug recycling.

Lawmakers already submitted the list of “ninja cops” to President Rodrigo Duterte. They said they will let the Chief Executive name those “ninja cops.”