Ferro is new PNP drug czar

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has installed a new drug enforcement chief as it joins the anti-illegal drugs operation anew in support of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the lead agency.

Tomorrow, Senior Superintendent Albert Ignatius Ferro will assume as head of the PNP-Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), replacing Chief Supt. Joseph Adnol.

Ferro confirmed his new as-

signment to Manila Bulletin but declined to give a statement.

“Senior Superintendent Ferro enjoys the trust and confidence of the Chief PNP. Most probably, the Chief PNP thinks that Senior Superintendent Ferro is the right person to accomplish his plan for the renewed drug war,” PDEG spokesman Supt. Enrico Rigor said.

Ferro used to head the Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (AIDG) but the unit’s accomplishments were eclipsed by the controversy over the death of South Korean executive Jee Ick Joo.

Jee was taken from his house in Angeles City in October last year under the guise of an anti-drugs operations and was later brought to Camp Crame where he was allegedly strangled to death. But still the suspects demanded ransom from his family.

A handful of AIDG operatives were tagged in the Jee kidnap-slay case, including an officer with a rank of Superintendent. All of them were charged in the Jee kidnap-slay case.

The incident led to the eventual abolition of the AIDG in February this year. It was replaced by PDEG which was first handled by Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares when the PNP was allowed to return to the drug war.

Adnol assumed as PDEG chief last October this year, a few days after the PNP was relieved from the drug operations over the questionable death of Kiandelos Santos and Carl Angelo Arnaiz, among others.

Recently, Adnol became controversial for saying that PDEG operatives do not need body cameras since God would be the witness when they operate. His statement did not sit well with a member of the Senate.

The PNP leadership vowed to be more cautious this time, hoping to make their campaign less bloody as theytackle the drug menace, vowing transparency in their actions with the procurement of body cameras for narcotics operatives