Thirty-five officers from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) have been relieved from their posts and will be immediately sent to Mindanao, a top police official confirmed yesterday.
Newly-appointed QCPD director Senior Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, in a phone interview, said he received Tuesday night the transfer order from the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame.
The order came after President Rodrigo Duterte named during the Philippine Air Force’s anniversary celebration in Clark, Pampanga five high-ranking police officials allegedly “protecting” illegal drug syndicates.
Two of the five generals – former QCPD directors Joel Pagdilao and Chief Supt. Edgardo Tinio – both denied the allegations and vowed to submit themselves to investigation to clear their names.
Eleazar, however, clarified for the officers’ re-assignment is still unclear.
“We can just speculate on that, but actually, wala naman kasing sinabi (sa order),” he said.
The new QCPD chief said that as per the order, the relieved officers were transferred to Regions 9, ARMM and Caraga in Mindanao, where armed terrorist groups are operating.
He said the highest ranking officer relieved is QCPD Special Operations Unit chief Supt. Jay Agcaoili. Other relieved police officers are from the headquarters’ Anti-Illegal Drugs Division and police stations.
“Yung iba naman sa kanila galing nang regions eh, mga RAID (Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs) group, then ipinadala sa amin. Ngayon, nasama sila sa mga lumabas,” Eleazar said.
Because the order was effective July 1, he said the relieved officers should immediately report to their new assignments.
Eleazar admitted that lifestyle checks and assessment are now being conducted on the district’s officers as part of the new administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.
Yesterday morning, more than 200 personnel from the QCPD’s anti-illegal drugs task group (SAID) from its 12 police stations were called to appear at the headquarters in Camp Karingal for a mandatory drug test.
(Vanne Elaine P. Terrazola)