Philippine National Police Region 7 Director Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, Jr. has warned police chiefs in Negros Oriental to be cautious and to strictly follow procedures in the conduct of operations against illegal drugs.
Chief Supt. Garbo, who visited Negros Oriental last week, said he is personally against policemen to operate on illegal drugs in order to protect the PNP organization from being tainted with some of its members who are perceived to be involved in this nefarious activity.
Garbo issued the statement during a command briefing with chiefs of police in Negros Oriental at Camp Francisco Fernandez in Agan-an, Sibulan during his first command visit ever in the province.
However, Garbo said he is setting aside his personal views following the directives of higher headquarters to support the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and follow the protocols in the anti-illegal drugs campaign.
He said a lot of policemen wanted to operate on illegal drugs because of easy money which is very tempting, even lawyers and other professionals are lured into it.
Not only that, Garbo pointed out that a lot of policemen are either facing charges in court, have been dismissed or have landed in jail for their involvement in illegal drugs.
The PNP regional commander has also received reports about a professional jealousy existing within the ranks of the police and the PDEA and to address this, Garbo instructed his anti-illegal drugs “czar” in Region 7, Sr. Supt. Louie Oppus, to coordinate with PDEA and hold monthly meetings to address the drug situation in Central Visayas. (PNA/JFP/Juancho Gallarde)