‘Underperforming’ antidrug cop sacked after 51 arrests

FOR “UNDERPERFORMING” and failing to attend police conferences, the acting chief of the Mandaluyong City police’s antinarcotics unit was relieved on Tuesday by Eastern Police District (EPD) director Senior Supt. Romulo Sapitula.

According to Sapitula, Senior Insp. Jerry Boy Napagal―the city police’s Station Anti-Illegal Drugs (SAID) chief―failed to attend two consecutive conferences for police chiefs and other SAID heads held at the EPD headquarters. He also did not comply with the requirements of his post.

Napagal was ordered to report immediately to the District Headquarters Support Unit as Supt. Orphelio Dakila Concina, Mandaluyong assistant police chief for operations, was directed to take over his post temporarily.

In an interview with the Inquirer, Napagal said he failed to attend on Tuesday’s meeting at 6:30 a.m. because he was up until the wee hours as his team served a search warrant. According to him, he did not wake up in time for the meeting, adding that he would submit his explanation in writing.

Still lacking

According to the EPD, the Mandaluyong police’s SAID team under Napagal conducted 14 operations which resulted in the arrest of 12 pushers and 39 drug users from July 1 to 24―an accomplishment Sapitula found to be lacking.

Napagal, however, defended himself, saying his eight-man team was able to arrest three to four pushers a week.

He also cited the need for more funding and manpower. “We only receive P40,000 in operation funds monthly or P120,000 quarterly. The Marikina Police SAID unit receives P400,000 quarterly,” Napagal said, adding that there were times he and his men were left to shoulder the printing costs for police and court documents.

His supervisor, Mandaluyong police chief Senior Supt. Joaquin Alva, also defended Napagal, saying that although his may not be a “superb” performance, he can certainly deliver.

Napagal was appointed SAID chief on Feb. 22 while he was promoted to his current rank only on  June 30.