61 cops chosen to compose DEUs

SIXTY-ONE police officers were selected to compose the new Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) of the 11 police stations and of the headquarters of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

“Yes. We have already composed the new DEU members of our (11) stations and at the same time, here at the headquarters,” CCPO Director Royina Garma said on June 13, 2019, Thursday.

They will all undergo training with the members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) come June 18.

After the arrest of Labangon Police Station’s DEU operative Rogelio R. Atillo, Garma ordered the relief of all members of the DEU, including Labangon Police Station Chief Keith Allen Andaya.

On June 7, the Pardo Police Station-DEU caught Atillo in a drug bust in Barangay Basak Pardo.

Atillo yielded a 15-gram pack of “shabu.” The arresting officers also confiscated his government-issued pistol and the marked bills he accepted from a police officer, who had pretended to be a buyer.

Garma earlier said Andaya will be relieved based on the principle of “command responsibility.”

She said the new DEU operatives were chosen based on the recommendations made by each of the 11 station commanders.

Four police personnel from their respective stations were chosen by the respective station commanders to form their DEUs, while six others will be assigned to the DEU of the CCPO headquarters.

The station’s chief of police will serve as the station’s DEU leader.

Garma clarified that those handpicked by the station commanders still had to pass a background check.

Their character, financial status, willingness to work for the DEU, knowledge on basic case investigation and skills for intelligence were also considered.

“Not all recommended by the station commanders were selected. There were other officials who objected to their appointment. As a result, some were selected from the reserved names on their list,” she said.

“First and foremost, they must not have any derogatory records. If that police officer has multiple loans and has many illegitimate children to support, then, maybe, they are easier to tempt.”

She also challenged the new DEU members to perform better and take to heart “the lessons learned” from the mistakes their predecessors have committed.

Garma also plans to conduct regular, quarterly evaluation of their performance.

Meanwhile, Garma said those relieved already underwent mandatory drug testing and debriefing last June 12.

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