Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos has assured the city’s police force of his full support in the fight against criminality, especially on drugs.

Abalos said he has assigned a lawyer to help members of the Mandaluyong police on all legal matters in their fight against crime. He also formed a “Citizen’s Crime Watch” to monitor the cases filed by police against criminals.

He said that the Citizen's Crime Watch will become a “justice watch” that will look at the number of cases filed, acquittals and convictions.

“I'm reiterating to our chief of police my commitment. We have a committee that will say if any of our police personnel are being harassed. They should always have a high morale to perform their duties," said Abalos.

Meanwhile, Abalos said he has written a letter to the Philippine National Police concerning that case of a member of the Mandaluyong police who has been particularly successful in the fight against drug syndicates but has been suddenly reassigned to a different region.

He said the outstanding policeman whom he did not name was involved in investigations that led to the filing of 15 criminal cases against suspects which are still pending.

Abalos indicated the cop’s reassignment could affect the disposition of the cases.

"I asked for the reinstatement of this cop so he can finish all the pending cases. Because if he can't attend the hearings and the arrested persons will be set free, these pushers will be rejoicing. But as the mayor of this city I will not allow that,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mandaluyong City Police Station Chief Police Senior Superintendent Carlos De Sagun thanked Abalos for his commitment to support the police.

"He (Abalos) always provides us with a lawyer, for example, when disputes during demolition operations or when a police personnel faces harassment.

Especially on drug-related cases,” De Sagun said.