Eleazar dares PDEA chief: Show proof cops are recycling drugs

MANILA, Philippines — National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar dared Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino to show proof of “rampant” incidents of lawmen recycling illegal drugs.

“Kung merong pulis na involve sa recycling sabihin ninyo at kung may ebidensya, lagot sa akin yan. [If you have evidence of policemen recycling drugs in illegal operations, tell it to us and I will reprimand them],” Eleazar told reporters after the turnover ceremony in Quezon City Police District on Tuesday.

READ: Eleazar refutes PDEA chief on claim of ‘rampant’ drug recycling by cops

Eleazar maintained that while PDEA has other information, it was too soon to generalize that policemen are still involved with drug recycling.

“Meron silang ibang impormasyon pero kasi sa akin kung meron silang ibang impormasyon mas maganda siguro kung ma-confirm rather than i-generalize,” Eleazar said.

The NCRPO chief said the police is doing its best to clean its agency from erring policemen.

Eleazar also said that many of the policemen who were arrested for being linked to illegal drugs were on absent without official leave (AWOL) status.

“Ito ang gusto ko linawin yung mga sinasabi nilang nahuling mga pulis na na-involve sa ganyan, most of them na-AWOL na yan. Sila yung unang pinagtatanggal natin,” he said.

Asked if he had coordinated with PDEA on the issue, Eleazar said he talked with PDEA spokesperson Derrick Carreon and PDEA-NCR Director III Joel Plaza.

On the morale of NCRPO police officers, Eleazar said Metro Manila’s police force maintains its high morale amid Aquino’s statement.

“Patuloy pa rin tayo na dapat mataas ang ating morale kaya bilang the father of NCRPO, naglabas ako ng statement para makita ng lahat pati ang ating kapulisan na hindi tayo patitinag sa ganyan,” he said.  /muf

READ: PDEA chief flags ‘rampant recycling’ of drugs