ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) on Wednesday welcomed the order of President Rodrigo Duterte for the Philippine National Police (PNP) to be back at the helm of the anti-illegal drug campaign.
“We have been expecting that. We will abide by the directive coming from the higher headquarters. It is a mandate of the President so we will do our job,” said IPPO director Police Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba in an interview.
Following the order, the PNP can already join Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in their operations.
“It is a big relief to PDEA because the PNP will again be helping them in this particular campaign,” Tayaba said.
Initially, Tayaba said that they planned to reactivate its Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) that would focus on the anti-drug operations in the entire province.
But now, they would choose new personnel to be assigned under the unit and who would be conducting operations, Tayaba said.
He said they would still prioritize the neutralization of high value targets (HVTs) particularly, Ernesto Bolivar, most wanted drug dealer in Iloilo Province.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday said President Duterte had signed an order directing the PNP to actively support the PDEA in the conduct of anti-drug operations. (PNA)
