New PDEA head takes oath in Cagayan de Oro court

Newly appointed PDEA head Wilkins Villanueva (right) takes his oath on Thursday morning before Judge Arthur Abundiente (left) of the Regional Trial Court Branch 25 in Cagayan de Oro City. Photo courtesy of Cagayan de Oro RTC Br. 25

ILIGAN CITY –– Newly appointed anti-narcotics chief Wilkins Villanueva took his oath before a regional trial court in Cagayan de Oro City Thursday morning.

Presiding judge Arthur Abundiente of Regional Trial Court Branch 25 administered Villanueva’s oath before his sala, in the presence of a few PDEA and court personnel.

Abundiente’s court is designated to hear cases involving illegal drugs, and also alleged violation of international humanitarian laws.

Villanueva was appointed by President Duterte to head the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to replace outgoing Director General Aaron Aquino, who was appointed to head the Clark International Airport Corporation.

A pioneer personnel of the PDEA since its creation in July 2002, Villanueva had stints as an anti-narcotics official in the Davao region and National Capital Region before being assigned to northern Mindanao.

He said he has opted to take an oath before Abundiente so he could immediately perform his official duties.

LZB