New PRO 7 director, 300 cops undergo drug tests; 3 positive
AFTER he was installed as acting director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, Chief Supt. Noli Taliño volunteered to undergo a drug test yesterday morning. The result was negative. The official urged his personnel to focus on their job so they can help eradicate illegal drugs and other crimes in three to six months, as promised by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Some 300 police officers and nonuniformed personnel underwent drug testing yesterday.
Aside from a police officer assigned to the Mandaue City Police Office, three cops from different units reportedly tested positive for using illegal drugs. These reports, however, still need confirmation from the Regional Crime Laboratory Office 7.
Taliño urged officers engaged in the illegal drug trade and other illicit activities to surrender or sever their ties with the criminals.
“Stop or better surrender. Mas maganda mag-surrender sila (It is better if they surrender),” he told reporters yesterday.
He replaced Chief Supt. Patrocinio Comendador Jr., who was given a Medalya ng Kasanayan (Efficiency Medal) for his accomplishments in his brief two-month stint as director. His accomplishments include the operations that led to the deaths of suspected drug lords Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz, Rowen “Yawa” Anunciado and David Anunciado.
In his speech, Comendador said, “I have made the community safer.”
He said he expected his transfer on July 1, the day Chief Supt. Ronald dela Rosa was installed as the new PNP chief and promoted to director general, a fourstar rank.
Comendador is now assigned in the office of dela Rosa.
But not all are happy with Comendador’s transfer. Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants officials in Camp Crame to explain Comendador’s transfer.
Osmeña said the police official was performing well, citing the arrests and deaths of three alleged top drug personalities in the region.
“Were losing our momentum. I can’t understand it. We’re winning already... People are surrendering all over the place. I’m really concerned of the safety of Cebuanos. It’s not for me, I’m doing this for all of us. I’m doing this for our children,” he said.
The mayor said he was shocked by the announcement of Comendador’s transfer, saying he endorsed Comendador for the regional post.
“I wish PRO 7 will continue the momentum (against illegal drugs and other forms of crime) that it has done in the past few months,” he said.
Comendador and Taliño formerly held offices at the National Capital Region Police Office. Taliño threatened to transfer police station chiefs, city directors and provincial directors if they are underperforming. As of this week, the official promised there will be no revamp because he still has to evaluate his personnel’s performance.