Three drug pushers 'surrender' to GMA News

Three pushers have confessed to being part of an operation run by a police official involved in the reselling of seized illegal drugs.

An exclusive report on "24 Oras" on Tuesday said drug pushers "Ding," "Allan" and "Winston" approached GMA News reporter Jiggy Manicad to help facilitate their surrender to authorities.

They also asked for protection from incoming Philippine National Police chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, who promised to meet them after he assumes office on July 1.

The drug pushers are temporarily staying at a safehouse in Rizal provided by a concerned citizen.

In the report, the drug pushers said they left their community after the policeman allegedly warned them that they would be killed.

"Pinagbantaan nga 'ko na pagbalik niya, ako'y didikdikin at shoot to kill daw ang order sa akin. Kami'y natatakot nga sa banta niyang 'yun at gawa nga nung isa naming kasama ay pinagbabaril na," one of them said.

He noted the policeman has been receiving P30,000 as commission for the sale of recovered illegal drugs to several patrons.

"Bale po 'yun ay nakukuha rin lang niya sa kaniyang nahuhuli," he said. "Minsan po'y solo, minsan po tatlo sila. Tumatawag kapag nangre-raid na, lagi po siyang una. Siyang unang pumasok sa mga re-raid-in."

Interviewed by GMA News, Bato said he would ask the drug pushers to dish out more information to help authorities in a future anti-illegal drug operation.

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to suppress the lucrative dangerous drugs trade in three to six month, which would require going after big fish who may include military and police generals and corrupt government officials who serve as protectors and associates of organized crime.

Duterte even asked three police generals suspected of having ties to the trade to quit or face humiliation for being corrupt.  —Virgil Lopez/JST, GMA News