THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Western Visayas has a new officer-in-charge (OIC).
Investigation Agent V Alex Tablate took office on December 16.
PDEA-Western Visayas spokesperson David Garcia said on Thursday, December 20, they received the order from the higher office on December 17, replacing Emerson Margate, who was transferred to the PDEA headquarters in Manila, along with eight other personnel.
Margate and eight other personnel were relieved from their posts after they reportedly failed to file criminal charges within the reglementary period against three arrested brothers-in-law of slain drug lord Melvin Odicta Sr.
The Regalado brothers Leo, Cyril and Arnulfo, and his wife Nilda were arrested in Barangay Sambag, Jaro on December 13, which resulted to the recovery of P400,000 worth of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), a .45 pistol, and a 12-gauge shotgun.
The suspects, however, were released the following day after the lapse of the reglementary period. Drug charges were only filed against them on December 17.
Tablate arrived in the regional office in Iloilo City on December 19. He came from Tacloban as deputy director of PDEA-Eastern Visayas.
He has yet to meet all the personnel of the regional office, he added.
Margate who came from PDEA-Central Visayas swapped posts with Wardley Getalla, former regional director of PDEA- Western Visayas, five months ago.
Garcia said they will be waiting for the replacement of the eight relieved personnel from the higher office. (GYM)