PDEA: Aquino takes over from Lapeña

Retired police Chief Superintendent Aaron N. Aquino formally assumed his post as the new Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General during simple rites in Quezon City yesterday.

The decorated former police officer replaced former PDEA chief and now Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Isidro Lapeña who was also a distinguished ex-police officer.

Aquino, a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandiwa” Class of 1985, had a long, colorful and distinguished career as a decorated military and police officer.

He has held major positions in the Presidential Security Group (PSG) for eight years during the terms of former President Corazon Aquino and President Fidel Ramos, and Police Regional Offices 4, 10 and 11.

The new PDEA chief has multi-functional expertise and

diversified experiences in the field of intelligence, operations, investigation, administration and development management training. R5 M to informants

Meanwhile, eight civilian informants were given cash rewards totaling R5,070,563.73 in an incentive scheme designed by the government to entice the public to report groups involved in the illegal drug trade.

The cash reward is being operated under the PDEA Operation: Private Eye (OPE).

In yesterday’s simple ceremony, Lapeña handed the rewards to the informants identified only through their codenames: June, Sakuragi, Kiko, Spotter, Maximus, Excellente, Boi, and Bald Head.

“I commend them for providing information that led to the arrest of several drug personalities and the seizure of voluminous amounts of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu,” Lapeña said.