Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), has implemented a four-pronged preemptive strike to address the problem of erring policemen engaging in illegal drugs activities in Metro Manila amid the controversy brought by drug-recycling issue.
First, Eleazar said he had already tasked the Legal Service of the NCRPO to coordinate with the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and other pertinent government agencies to get the list of all dismissed and AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave) policemen applying for reinstatement.
“We have arrested some policemen before engaged in either selling or using drugs. During a background check, we found that they were dismissed or went on AWOL before for drug charges,” said Eleazar.
“Those involved in illegal drugs before should not be given a second chance to enter the police service. They are a disgrace to our organization. That is why we want to initiate move to bar them from being reinstated,” said Eleazar.
Second, Eleazar said that he also tasked the NCRPO- Regional Investigation and Detective Management to update the list of all policemen who have been charged before or currently facing drug-related cases.
The NCRPO Chief explained that the updated records would be of high-intelligence value in terms of monitoring if they are still connected with illegal drugs syndicates.
“Those who were charged of drug-cases that are purely harassment cases have nothing to fear. President Duterte himself gave an assurance that they will get all the help from the government if those cases are purely harassment cases,” said Eleazar.
“What we are after are those who are really involved in illegal drugs. We will be running after them as part of our effort to finally end the problem of narco-policemen in Metro Manila,” he added.
Third, Eleazar said that he already met with all the heads of the Drug Enforcement Units in Metro Manila to discuss with them the implementation of a one-strike policy.
The one-strike policy stated that Drug Enforcement Unit head will immediately be relieved from his post, as well as the station commander, if even a single of their men would be found to be involved in illegal drugs activities.
“I believe that this will compel the Drug Enforcement Unit heads to always do the right thing because they know that their careers will be at stake,” said Eleazar.
And fourth, Eleazar said he recently initiated an alliance of four major law enforcement agencies in Metro Manila to form what he calls the Quad-Intel Force. (Aaron Recuenco)