Former PDEA-7 chief suspended for daring reporter to a gun duel

THE former regional director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) was ordered suspended for six months without pay for challenging a radio reporter in Cebu to a gun duel during a media interview.

PDEA Director-General Arturo Cacdac ordered the suspension of Esperidion Javier after he was found guilty of simple misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Cacdac, in his 14-page order signed Aug. 15, said Javier should exercise “professionalism where all employees shall perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence professionalism, intelligence and skill.”

Javier could not be reached for comment.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by radio station dySS reporter Guamittos Logroño after Javier got angry in an interview and challenged him to a gun duel nine months ago.

Logroño said he sought Javier’s reaction to a report that his men raided the house of a suspected drug pusher without a search warrant. Instead of giving an explanation, Javier got irked and challenged Logroño to a duel.

Logroño said he is happy with the decision even if the PDEA Internal Affair Service (IAS) downgraded his grave misconduct complaint to simple misconduct because of mitigating circumstances which included the public apology that Javier made.

Logroño said the decision was not only his victory but that of the whole Cebu media .

 

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