TWO Pasig police commanders were relieved from posts following the arrest of their men in a drug bust conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (Pdea) on Friday, February 22, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Director Guillermo Eleazar said Sunday, February 24.
Relieved officials over command responsibility were Chief Inspector Abraham Satorre, head of the District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) of the Eastern Police District and Police Inspector Edward Olmedo, commander of Pasig Police Community Precinct 9.
Satorre will be replaced by Chief Inspector Darwin Guerrero while Olmedo will be replaced by Senior Inspector Mario Benito.
"The relief of their commanders is immediate, while internal investigation is in progress. It is hard for me to believe that the immediate commanders of such rogue policemen are totally unaware of their men's behavior," Eleazar said in a statement.
"I expect the commanders to know their men thoroughly. At the least, the commanders must also observe and note the lifestyles and behavior of their men," he added.
On Friday, Pdea operatives arrested Police Officer 2 Marlou Roldan and Police Officer 3 Mark Vista while accompanying a drug suspect, Raymond Ryan Cruz who is the subject of the drug bust.
Cruz had P2.9 million worth of suspected shabu for the transaction set by a poseur buyer.
However, Pdea agents said Roldan and Vista fired upon them which prompted them to retaliate.
The two cops were wounded while Cruz were arrested.
Pdea said they only knew that Vista and Roldan were policemen after the operation.
Eleazar said investigation against the two said cops is underway.
“Tama lang na nahuli sila if they are involved in illegal drugs. Criminal and administrative charges must be filed against them,” he said. (SunStar Philippines)