Eastern Visayas police director proves he’s not involved in illegal drug trade

Eastern Visayas map. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

TACLOBAN CITY — The chief of the Eastern Visayas police on Tuesday, Jan. 10, publicly signed an affidavit attesting that he is not involved in the illegal drugs trade and other criminal activities.

Brigadier General Rommel Francisco Marbil’s move was made in response to the appeal of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos for all ranking police officers from full colonels to generals to tender their courtesy resignations amid the government’s continued fight against the illegal drugs trade.

Marbil and 20 other police officials in the region submitted their courtesy resignations on Jan. 5.

Marbil said he decided to sign an affidavit witnessed by the region’s top police officers and the 400 newly-promoted police officials to attest that he is not involved in any illegal activities.

“I categorically state under pain of perjury that I am not involved in any form of illegal drug activity or in any form of illegal or criminal activity,” the police regional director said in his affidavit.

Marbil also claimed that he has never received any bribe money from those involved in illegal drugs.

When he learned that Abalos had asked all ranking police officers to submit their courtesy resignations, the general said he complied without question.

“There were no ifs and buts. I submitted my courtesy resignation as requested by Secretary Abalos,” he said.

“I assure the public that no police personnel from Eastern Visayas are involved in illegal drugs or other illegal activities. If there is one, I will tender my resignation. The buck stops with me,” Marbil said.

He was confident that all police officers from the region who have tendered their courtesy resignations would be exonerated from any possible links to illegal activities.

Meantime, Leyte police provincial director Col. Edwin Balles admitted that he was hesitant in submitting a courtesy resignation.

“Honestly, I had mixed emotions. The people are looking upon us. Whatever I have achieved in my 25 years in service is a product of sacrifice,” he said.

“But I understand the rationale behind this move. I am accepting the full process to clean the organization and purge the misfits and scalawags,” he said.

Balles, who has been in the police organization for 25 years, submitted his own courtesy resignation on Jan. 6.

RELATED STORY:

Abalos seeks courtesy resignation of all PNP colonels, generals amid possible drug links

JPV