PRO 7 to provide help in PDEA 7's war vs. drugs

Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Noli Taliño said they will still play a role in anti-drug operations by giving information to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), which is now at the forefront in going after drug personalities and syndicates.

Taliño said they will focus on solving murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, carnapping and rape in the region.

The official claimed the police's war on drugs halted the increase of crimes in the past six months in Central Visayas, except for murder.

Taliño warned pushers and drug groups not to be jubilant.

“We will still be on the lookout while PDEA will continue where we have left off,” he told reporters in Tagalog.

PDEA 7 Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz said he already received the list of high-value targets from Taliño.

Ruiz said they will tap the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during their operations.

“For sure there will be trainings that will be given to AFP regarding the conduct of anti-narcotics operations,” he said.

Chief Supt. Camilo Pancratus Cascolan, director for operations, said buy-busts and serving of warrants of arrest against pushers and search warrants were suspended starting last Monday.

Cascolan said a police officer should still arrest a person carrying illegal drugs in public and forward the case to PDEA.

“Don't hide any information from PDEA,” he said in Tagalog.

Cascolan said the involvement of his fellow officials in the death of a Korean businessman affected their morale, but he said they have to move on.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Eric Noble and Cebu City Police Office Joel Doria said their intelligence units will continue to gather information about drug personalities.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants the PRO 7 to be spared from President Rodrigo Duterte's order to temporarily disallow the police from handling anti-illegal drug operations.

“I'm worried about the drug situation because this is a national thing, this is not focused in Cebu City but it's affecting us. Our police department here is doing a very laudable job in addressing (illegal drugs),” the mayor said.

He said the PDEA 7 cannot do it alone since it only has 30 personnel for the entire Central Visayas.

“From what I see, it's a big minus... and you can't expect the military to take over the anti-illegal drug operations. It's better than nothing, but its not enough,” Osmeña said.

Asked if he has done something about it, Osmeña said he already sent a message to “back channels.”

Councilor Dave Tumulak also shared the mayor's sentiment, saying the development will affect anti-illegal drug efforts, particularly in the barangays.

Tumulak said barangay officials were saddened by the development because it might encourage drug lords to continue doing their illegal business.

“We're expecting to confiscate more illegal drugs prior to this. It's unfair for our policemen here who are doing all their best efforts to curb illegal drugs,” he said.

The Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO), for its part, supported the suspension of anti-illegal drug operations in the country by the PNP, saying its better for the organization to clear its ranks so it can restore public trust and confidence.

CPADAO chairperson Carmen Remedios Meca said the move doesn't affect them since CPADAO is focused on the administrative side.

“Our campaign against illegal drugs will continue, especially on demand reduction and civic awareness,” she said. /

We will still be on the lookout while PDEA will continue where we have left off.

CHIEF SUPT. NOLI TALIÑO PRO 7 Director