PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. has dropped his plan to abolish the Special Operations Units (SOUs) of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), two of which figured in the controversial seizure of 990 kilos of shabu in Manila last October.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Acorda said drug cases filed by the SOUs might be affected if units based in the regions will be dissolved and their personnel recalled to the PDEG headquarters at Camp Crame.
“After studying (the SOUs possible abolition), we’ve seen some problems. First, there are cases filed in the different regions by these operatives. To dislocate them, to relieve them, or to bring them all to the NHQ (national headquarters), these cases will be affected,” said Acorda.
Acorda said the problem lies with the personnel and not on the units, adding there will be strict vetting of personnel who will be assigned to these units in the future.
“What we saw actually was that the problem is more on the personnel. It’s not on the office but the personnel. So, what we wanted to do is the proper vetting of personnel, continuous monitoring, continuous background investigation on them,” he said.
PDEG director Brig. Gen. Faro Olaguera welcomed the decision of Acorda, saying the PDEG will focus on vetting personnel who will be assigned to the SOUs.
He also implied that PDEG personnel who are too familiar with their places of assignment will be reassigned to avoid problems. Last October, the SOUs of the PDEG National Capital Region and Calabarzon figured in the controversial raid of a money lending company in Manila that led to the seizure of 990 kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion.
But Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. later accused the PNP of making a “massive attempt” to cover up the arrest of then PDEG operative M/Sgt. Rodolfo Mayo Jr., the owner of the lending firm.
Acorda said the vetting, monitoring and background investigation are meant to ensure the incoming personnel are not involved in illegal activities.
