MY good friend, the indefatigable and ever-reliable chief of the Department of Social Welfare in Manila, is confused and upset over what he termed as ‘inaction’ of certain police officers on his request for the apprehension of a known drug pusher in the area where he grew up, in Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila.

It all started when last January 31, 2012, Jay received a complaint-letter seeking assistance from the Manila-DSW to put a stop to the flagrant sale and use of shabu in the area of Hermosa Taas, Estero De Maypajo in Gagalangin, Tondo.

Naturally, Jay checked on the veracity of the complaint and found out that a certain ‘Benjie’ had been using the shanties in the said location as a haven for his illicit drug activities.                                                             

Jay said he was surprised to find out that ‘Benjie’ had practically converted the place into his own shabu den, where drug addicts, including minors, regularly hold their pot sessions. 

Concerned residents told Jay that once high on drugs, the said addicts get involved in crimes, victimizing innocent residents there.                                                                              

What puzzles Jay all the more is that the place is still being used by pushers and addicts despite the fact that only recently, a certain “ERNING” was arrested there also for drug pushing and drug possession.                           

Last February 1, Jay took it upon himself to take action and with the able assistance of Chief Insp. Rolando Gonzales, District Inspectorate Office (DIO) chief of the Manila Police District, and the MDSW rescue team, Jay led in swooping down the place accompanied by Chairman Jimmy Llorente. 

There, shabu sachets and other drug paraphernalia were found scattered all over the shanties, which were destroyed by Jay himself, aided by his team.                                                                                                       

Those found in the shanties pointed to ‘Benjie’ as the maintainer of the shanties-cum-drug den. He was not there so Jay asked the police under whose jurisdiction the area falls, to help locate and arrest ‘Benjie.’                      

Yesterday, when I bumped into Jay, I asked him for an update on ‘Benjie’ and was surprised to find out that  nothing had happened to his request, which he coursed through a certain Lt. Agbuya and one Col. Tumalad.                              

What’s even funny is that when Jay received a text message tipping off that ‘Benjie’ was in one of the shanties hiding and packing to go to Bulacan, Jay immediately informed Agbuya, who admitted to having seen ‘Benjie’ in the said area a couple of hours after the raid but that they did not apprehend him for lack of any reason to do so. ’Pag nakita daw ulit, huhulihin na. Kalokah ’di ba? Kung walang rason na makita to justify his arrest the first time around, ano ang difference ’pag nagkita ulit?                                      

Ang dami daw dahilan ibinigay ni Agbuya kay Jay kung bakit hindi inaresto ’yung tao. ’Yan ang classic case na ’pag ayaw, maraming dahilan, pero pag gusto, maraming paraan.’                                                                            Sadly, Jay continues to wait for any progress on his request pero mukhang mamumuti na lang ang mata niya sa kaiintay dahil deadma na daw ang mga kausap niyang pulis as in fact, he bumped into Tumalad yesterday and the latter made no mention whatsoever about the case.                             

I’m sure MPD’s top honcho, the ever-reliable director Chief Supt. Alex Gutierrez, will not tolerate this kind of inaction on the part of the police dahil kilala ito sa pagiging ‘action man’, the main reason why he enjoys the full trust and confidence of Mayor Fred Lim.                                                  

It just so happened that Jay has not reported the matter to Gutierrez because he is still hoping against hope that his request will be acted upon.                   

The police is touted to be the ordinary people’s court of last resort. Eh kung ganyan na opisyal na nga ng city hall eh nade-dedma pa, paano pa ang ordinaryong Juan dela Cruz?                                                                   

Hmmm… Ano kayang alas meron itong ‘Benjie’ na ito at hindi siya magalaw???                                                                                                                                                          

***                                           

Beauty tip: Remove makeup as soon as possible with a cleanser designed for sensitive skin. Do not be too rough on your skin when exfoliating or cleansing, so as not to cause irritation and itching. (Source: Dr. RosaryMay Canay-Diaz of the Le Californian Beau Medical Spa/410-8424/450-1388)                                                             

***                                             

Jokjok (from Lito del Mundo of Ilocos Sur) -- Boy: Dad! ’Di ba sabi mo bawat subject na maipasa ko bibigyan mo ko ng P1,000?/Dad: Oo naman. Baket?/Boy: Good news, Dad! Malaki ang masa-save mo ngayon kasi P1,000 lang ang ibibigay mo sa ’kin!                                                                                                                        

***                                           

Direct Hit entertains comments, suggestions or complaints. Please have them emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or please text 0929-5953737.