Erap orders arrest for 16 Manila government authorities linked to drugs

The immediate arrest for sixteen unnamed government officials and policemen involved with illegal drugs was ordered by Manila Mayor Joseph 'Erap' Estrada.

Manila Police District (MPD) police director Senior Superintendent Joel Coronel was commanded by Erap to administer an operation against the sixteen targets who are considered with high values.

Coronel stated that these sixteen targets are public servants from Philippine National Police (PNP), city hall, barangay, and national government offices based in Manila.

"They're both elected and appointed (officials). Some are drug users, coddlers, traffickers, or protectors, including from the PNP," he said.

As soon as these public servants' involvement with illegal drugs is verified, Coronel said that they will monitor them immediately.

The list of names was submitted by convicted drug users and supported by the records from MPD's Anti-Illegal Drugs Division and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Thirty-eight drug suspects in Manila were already arrested and 200 volunteered to surrender over the past two weeks.

"We will support you all the way. We will provide whatever you need, so long as these targets are put behind bars," Estrada said.

P20 million worth of brand new firearms for Manila policemen and P45 million allowance for the Manila police force were allotted by the office of the mayor.