Police slam Rallos family’s ‘distrust’

The chief of Cebu City police yesterday said the family of slain Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 officer Baby “Earl” Rallos can always turn to other law enforcement agencies if they think the police cannot be trusted.

This was Senior Supt. Royina Garma’s reaction to Rallos family’s statement that said they did not know “where to put their trust” now and that contrary to earlier reports, no illegal drugs were found inside Rallos car.

The family, who had kept silence since Rallos was shot dead by unidentified motorcycleriding assailants last July 27, finally decided to speak with reporters Thursday on the condition that their faces and identities be hidden.

Sought for her comment on the family’s statement, Garma did not mince her words.

“Kung wala na silay trust, oh di they trust other law enforcement agency. They are free to go there,” she said.

In the interview, a family member did not expressly say they did not trust the police, however. Rather, the source said there could be a connection between their father’s death and the assassination attempt on Barangay Tejero, Cebu City councilman Jessielou Cadungog last Monday.

“Pero in terms pud og investigation, kami wala mi kahibaw asa namo ibutang among pagsalig. Labi na sa nahitabo sa Tejero, kay medyo di ra man sad siguro kami ang nakahunahuna sa connection, labi na sa miaging mga panghitabo. Labi na naa nakuha nga kinabuhi,” the family member said.

Garma maintained, however, that two packs of suspected shabu weighing 56.9 grams and worth more than P600,000 were found in Rallos glove compartment.

“Bakit may shabu ka sa sasakyan mo? Dili kaya hinahanap siya kasi may nagmamay-ari ng shabu ayaw niya ibigay? Di natin alam pero ang issue diyan, ikaw, bakit may shabu ka sa sasakyan mo? Yun ang tanong diyan. Marami ngang police natanggal sa serbisyo dahil may shabu sa checkpoint,” she said.

Both the PNP and PDEA have reiterated that it is illegal for any law enforcer to bring any form of illegal drugs with them.

“We are just telling you don’t close your eyes on what is happening, who are these people na nababaril at namamatay at nae-engage during police operation,” Garma added.

The family denied in the interview that the drugs found were owned by Rallos, saying it was not even declared in the report of the Scene of the Crime Operatives.

REVAMP

Meanwhile, the PDEA personnel in Central Visayas will trade positions with their counterparts from Western Visayas, according to a statement released by the national headquarters on Thursday.

PDEA Director-General Aaron Aquino said the swapping of personnel is a normal practice to increase flexibility and adaptability within the organization.

“Though they are about to expose themselves to unfamiliar territory, it is a welcome benefit for the transferees to learn new knowledge and skills set, an opportunity for professional growth,” said Aquino.

At least 91 personnel from PDEA-7 will now be assigned at PDEA-6, which has 89 personnel.

Technical personnel such as chemists and drug regulatory officers are exempted from the movement. The public information officers of the two regional offices will also be retained.

PDEA-6 Director Wardly Getalla will now be the new director of PDEA-7 while Emerson Margate will now man the PDEA in Western Visayas.

Aquino said one of the main reasons for the revamp is the security of PDEA-7 personnel following Rallos’ killing.

“As a precautionary measure, the reassignment bodes well for the safety of our operatives in Central Visayas because they are now at greater risk following the death of Investigation Agent III Earl “Baby” Rallos who was shot by unidentified gunmen on his way home driving his vehicle,” Aquino said.