Erap orders dismantling of drug ‘tiangges’ in Manila 

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Thursday ordered policemen to dismantle drug dens that might still be operating in the city following the discovery of a drug lair under a bridge in Binondo on Wednesday. 

“We will thoroughly scour the entire city, every corner, every alley, every bridge, all possible hiding places.  If it’s possible we will turn the city upside down to locate and neutralize these secret drug dens, if there are still any,” Estrada said in a statement. 

To comply with Estrada's directive, Manila Police District director Senior Supt. Joel Coronel said they are now "increasing the level" of their intelligence operations. 

"We will exert all effort to uncover these shabu stalls and tiangges,” Coronel was quoted in the same statement as saying. 

The mayor also directed the 896 barangay chairmen to participate in the campaign and act as the “eyes and ears” of the police during operations.

The drug den's discovery caused the instant relief of Police Community Precinct (PCP) 7 commander Chief Insp. Luis Guisic, who denied knowing about the operation of the shabu den, which is just below the police outpost. 

Police arrested 50-year-old Robert Regio, the alleged operator of the drug den, which was found after city hall workers and police conducted road clearing operations to ease traffic congestion. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News