Ex-SWAT cop’s arrest shows ‘cleansing of ranks’

LAST Thursday’s arrest of a former SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team member on illegal drug charges should remind law enforcers anew that no one is above the law.

“The arrest (of Ronjie Nadorra) means that our law enforcers are doing something to arrest personalities in power who are proven to be involved in the illegal drug trade,” said Carmen Remedios Meca, chief of Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO).

Meca admitted that while some police personnel are involved in illegal drugs, the rest of the police are still going after them.

Nadorra was considered a level two high-value target at the time he was arrested at his home in Naga City, southern Cebu.

Nadorra, who is detained at the Fuente Police Precinct in Cebu City, was once assigned at the Regional Personnel Holding Administrative Unit of the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) while waiting for the resolution of the drug case against him.

“Our operations on illegal drugs are not selective. They don’t exempt anyone. The police caught in Naga City, he has to face the consequences and charges that will be filed against him,” Meca said.

Meca said the arrests of police personnel engaged in the illegal drug trade is a big slap on the face not only to the police but to their office as well.

“It is also CPADAO’s goal to lower the number of dismissal cases lodged against our law enforcers specially from the PNP. (That’s why) we give rewards to those who are successful in their operations against illegal drugs,” Meca said.

Meca said barangays should meet the Duterte administration’s challenge to clear their areas of illegal drugs and to keep it drug-free.

“As I said before, we’re here to endorse which barangays in Cebu are drug-free at the community level only,” Meca said.