THE Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) vowed to continue its aggressive campaign against illegal drugs in the province despite the relief of Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido from the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
Nocppo Deputy Director for Administration Police Lieutenant Colonel Adrian Acollador said that when Espenido was not yet assigned to the BCPO, they have been going after illegal drug suspects in the province.
Acollador said the public can be assured that the provincial police will not stop until the problem of illegal drugs in Negros Occidental will be wiped out.
The Nocppo deputy director also denied the hearsays of some people, who are claiming Espenido’s removal stemmed from “ninja cops” within the BCPO, pointing out Espenido was reassigned directly to the office of Philippine National Police (PNP) director, Police General Archie Gamboa.
Acollador also challenged recently arrested drug suspects in the province, who are claiming of “planted evidence,” telling them to file a case against the police in order to prove their allegations.
Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer shared the same sentiment yesterday and said that the campaign against illegal drugs will continue even without Police Lt. Colonel Jovie Espenido.
Ferrer said the reason for Espenido’s relief from the Bacolod City Police Office was not determined but what is clear is he is only abiding by the order of the higher PNP headquarter.
“He could be needed in some other areas. That’s the tour of duty of the PNP that he be transferred and relieved any time upon the orders of Camp Crame,” Ferrer said.
But he said the local police has been actively doing the apprehensions, buy bust operations and even seized big volumes of illegal drugs and high value targets even without Espenido.
Last week, Espenido was relieved from both his BCPO post and as City Drug Enforcement Unit chief.
The police official was reassigned to Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame. (TDE)