POLICEMEN and barangay officials who have jurisdiction over the site of a recent riot in Tondo involving youngsters have a lot of explaining to do.

A 14-year-old boy was shot dead during the said free-for-all while another, a 17-year-old, landed in critical condition in a hospital also due to a bullet wound. The incident took place before dawn on October 14 in Tondo, Manila, at 1 p.m. and at a time when supposedly, everyone must be home due to the the curfew being imposed nationwide, in view of the pandemic.

The site of the violence, according to the police, is the northbound lane of Jose Abad Santos Avenue covered by Barangay 252 in Tondo. It falls under the direct supervision and jurisdiction of the Manila Police District- Station 2 under its commander, P/ Lt. Col.Magno Gallora Jr., and the barangay officials concerned, who are all responsible not only for the implementation of the curfew ordinance and also ensuring that minors remain in their homes as they belong to the age groups that are not yet allowed to get out at the moment.

What is even scary is that when they engaged in a gang war, both camps composed purely of minors were armed with guns. How did these firearms land in their hands? Who are these minors and who must be held accountable for what happened? For the boy who got killed?

The riot was said to have been caught via a closed circuit television video recording that tracking down those involved must be less difficult.

Shouldn’t Gallora and the barangay officials also be made to answer in so far as their responsibilities are concerned?

These riots of youngsters could not have taken place if regular patrols are conducted in the streets or if there is enough police visibility specially in areas notorious for such kinds of activities. ***

A total of 2,300 grams of shabu with a street value of P15.64 million, concealed in two shipments and discharged in Fedex warehouse were seized by the Bureau of Customs Port of NAIA (BOC-NAIA) on October 19.

In close coordination with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA IADITG), the BOC-NAIA implemented the seizure of the two shipments that were imported from Malaysia and declared as ‘Clothing’ and ‘Cloth’, respectively.

However, upon 100 percent physical examination, the subject shipments were found to contain white crystalline substances concealed in clothes and cloths, which were subsequently tested and verified by PDEA as methamphetamine hydrochloride otherwise known as shabu.

The custody of the seized illegal drugs was immediately turned over to the PDEA for case profiling and buildup against those who may be responsible for possible prosecution for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act 2002 (Republic Act No. 9165) in relation to Section 119 (Restricted Importation) and Section 1401 (Unlawful Importation) of Republic Act No. 10863 otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

Six days prior, on October 13, 2021, the Port of NAIA also turned over to PDEA P6.570 million worth of seized ecstasy party drugs, aside from other drugs seizures of the said Port for year 2021.

Congrats to the Port of NAIA, headed by Collector Mimel Talusan, for a job well done and for protecting our country from the proliferation of illegal drugs.

***

Jokjok (from Rafael Gascon of Valenzuela City)—PEDRO: Boss pwede ba ako nalang ang papalit dun sa pwesto ng manager natin na kamamatay lang?/

BOSS: Okay lang sa akin na ikaw ang pumalit sa kanya. Ewan ko lang kung papayag ang punerarya! *** Direct Hit entertains comments, suggestions or complaints. Please have them emailed to [email protected] or text 0919-0608558.