SEEING threat and “greater risks” for current Central Visayas operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7), Director General Aaron Aquino has ordered for all operatives and staff of the regional office to be transferred to Western Visayas (Region 6).
In a statement released by the PDEA Central Office, Aquino ordered for all the 91 operatives of PDEA-7 to exchange areas of assignment with the 89 members of PDEA-6.
“It is a straight swap between the entire workforce of PDEA Regional Offices in Western Visayas and Central Visayas Offices, including its Regional Directors,” Aquino said in a statement.
However, exempted in the revamp are the technical personnel of the field office such as their chemists and drug regulatory officers.
PDEA-7 Regional Director Emerson Margate swaps places with PDEA-6 Director Wardley Getalla.
The swap was implemented following the death of Agent 3 Baby “Earl” Rallos, who was gunned down by unidentified assailants on July 27.
“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 in a media release.
In a phone interview with Cebu Daily News, PDEA Information Office Director Derrick Arnold Carreon said they recognize the threat on the security of their operatives not only in Central Visayas but in all of their field offices nationwide.
Carreon said the threat is a result of their heightened operations against illegal drugs.
Not satisfied
Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña opted not to issue any statement regarding the swapping of PDEA personnel but expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of PDEA-7 under Margate.
“I’m not satisfied from their standpoint that I don’t know what they’re doing,” said Osmeña.
Osmeña decried the failure of the present PDEA-7 leadership in informing him about the agency’s programs as he praised former director, Yogi Filemon Ruiz.
“This one is very different because there were no reports (sent to me) unlike Ruiz. I mean, Ruiz was doing very well. Grabe gyud iyahang performance sa pagdakop aning mga droga,” Osmeña said. / with Correspondent Benjie B. Talisic and Reporter Morexette Marie Eram