Suspension order against PDEA-7 official upheld

The six-month suspension meted against the former officer-in-charge of the Philippine Drug Enforcement in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) was upheld.

This after PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Esperidion Javier, who was accused of threatening a radio reporter.

In his resolution signed last Oct. 23, Cacdac said he found no reason to reverse his earlier decision handing a six-month suspension without pay against Javier.

Cacdac stressed that Javier, who is now the assistant regional director of PDEA-7, failed to present new evidence to prove his innocence.

“A motion for reconsideration of a final order of a court should point out specifically the findings and conclusions not supported by evidence or the law and should make express reference to the record and pertinent statutory provision,” the decision read.

Javier’s suspension stemmed from the complaint filed by radio reporter Guam Logronio.

In his complaint, Logroño said he sought Javier’s reaction on a report that his personnel raided the house of a suspected drug pusher without a search warrant.

Logroño said instead of giving an explanation, Javier got irked and challenged him to a gun 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.