JUST like his predecessors, the new Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) chief, Col. Robert Lingbawan, promised to wage a battle against illegal drugs and weed out the erring cops among the ranks.

Lingbawan started his duty on Friday, April 9, 2021, replacing Col. Alladin Collado, who is now the comptroller of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7.

The CPPO director ordered all the 50 police station chiefs not to relax in their campaign against drug trafficking, and focus to prevent eight crimes—murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, stealing motorcycles and stealing of vehicles.

Lingbawan said he already knew Cebu Province’s problems on stopping illegal drugs and arresting wanted persons when he was still with the intelligence division of the PRO 7.

Of all the provinces in Central Visayas, Lingbawan said Cebu Province reportedly has the most number of drug personalities, and he vowed to capture all the big-time pushers before the second quarter of 2021 ends. But the new CPPO chief did not provide the numbers.

Within days of Lingbawan assuming office, a “high-level” pusher was killed in a drug bust, and some P20.4 million worth of crystal meth, locally known as shabu, was seized.

The police official said the pusher’s death serves as a warning to other pushers who are still in the business—the anti-narcotics operatives are prepared to defend themselves if their targets resist arrest.

He said he will investigate erring officers and reward the accomplished ones.

As the Covid-19 pandemic is still around, Lingbawan said all the 50 police station chiefs must follow the programs and rules implemented by local government units and national government agencies.

Lingbawan will also meet with Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to introduce himself as the new CPPO director. (AYB / KAL)