Eastern Visayas police suspend drug operations

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte — Police in Eastern Visayas has suspended its campaign against illegal drugs in compliance with the order of President Duterte.

The suspension was announced during the camp’s flag-raising ceremony Monday.

The President put the anti-drug campaign on hold in reaction to the revelation that high police officials in the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame were involved in the kidnapping and killing of South Korean Jee Ick-Joo.

Duterte also directed PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa to form a task force to cleanse the police ranks of scalawags.

The incident has smeared the honor and integrity of the police organization, Chief Supt. Elmer C. Beltejar, police regional director.

Beltejar ordered that all Anti-Illegal Drugs Groups under his command to focus instead on cases involving murder, homicide, robbery, theft, physical injuries and car theft.

He told his officers not to be dismayed by shake-up of the police force because President Duterte had promised to resume the war on drugs once the PNP is purged.

During the same flag ceremony Beltejar announced the promotion of 290 officers.

Beltejar was joined by Alicia Pardiñas and Ms. Arlyn Basas, National Police Commission regional representatives, in the recognition of the promoted officers.

Eight officers were promoted to Police Chief Inspector, 10 to Police Senior Inspector, two to Police Inspector, nine to Senior Police Officer 4, nine to Senior Police Officer 3, 25 to Senior Police officer 2, 11 to Senior Police Officer 1, 42 to Police Officer 3 and 174 to Police Officer 2.