A team of nine police officers, who managed to secure the conviction of a drug pusher at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 75, received Php 100,000 incentive from the City Government of Valenzuela.

The conviction of Jolly Romero y Mago, in the case of PP vs. Jolly Romero y Mago @ Julius with Criminal Case Nos. 281-V-08 for violation of Section 5 and 282-V-08 for violation of Section 11 of The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9165), paved the way for a team of police officers to be rewarded with cash incentive, pursuant to Ordinance No. 2016-285 or the “Reward System in Drug Cases Ordinance.”

PO1 Catherine S. Rame (now PO2 Rame), the poseur buyer, and PO2 Arnel V. Cristobal (now SPO2 Cristobal), the arresting officer, were awarded 70 percent of the total reward amounting to Php35,000 each. 

Under Section 7 of the said ordinance, for every accused convicted, an amount equivalent to Php100,000.00 shall be distributed by the Rewards Committee in the following manner – members of the team who participated in the conduct of the operation and who further took part in the court proceedings of such case shall receive an amount equivalent to 70 percent of the total amount of the reward, while those members who participated in the conduct of the operation but have no part in the court hearings shall receive the 30 percent.

The team members who received 30 percent of the total reward, at Php 4,285.71 each, were PS Insp. Arthur Quinones, PO3 Noli Dait, PO1 Freddie Lim, PO1 Lester Aguado, PO2 Ray Bragado, PC Insp. Albert S. Arturo, and PO1 Harvey Aranas.

The “Reward System in Drug Cases Ordinance” was enacted in August. It aims to heighten the legality of police operations conducted within the city; to encourage police officers to attend to their respective hearings, actively participate in the prosecution of the case, and enhance the conviction rate of drug cases; to sustain the professional competence and ethical standards of police operatives involved in drug operations; and curtail the drug menace in the city.

The Rewards Committee is consisted of (1) the Mayor or his representative, (2) the Chief of Police, (3) the Executive Judge, (4) the City Prosecutor, and (5) the City Budget Officer. The committee’s support staff is provided by the Valenzuela Anti-Drug Abuse Council (VADAC). 

The conviction of Jolly Romero is the pioneer case which concretized the recently enacted Rewards Ordinance of the city. This milestone is part of the “Valenzuela Ayaw sa Droga” (VAD) campaign, which commits to make the city drug-free in 90 days since its launch on August 8.