PDEA exec sacked for disclosing ‘security information’— Gutierrez

MANILA, Philippines – Former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) deputy director general Carlos Gadapan was removed from his post for allegedly disclosing “security information” about agents to someone outside of the agency, an official said during a Senate hearing on Monday.

PDEA Director General Jose Gutierrez Jr. told the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs that Gadapan had met with a “subject” at his office to provide information about one PDEA agent.

Gutierrez said that the “subject” filed the writ of habeas data with the agency and “intelligence reports show there was an exchange of money.”

“His personal gain comes first before the security of the agents,” Gutierrez said. “His disclosure made him a security risk which was reason why the agency stripped him of authority.”

Gadapan did not immediately answer Gutierrez’s statements as he insisted that he was “relieved unjustly and without due process.”

But because Gadapan was serving “under the pleasure of the President,” Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said the loss of confidence of the President and the former official’s removal from office was not reversible.