PHILIPPINE National Police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa on Tuesday said the government’s anti-illegal drugs operations will intensify even if the PNP is actively involved in Covid-19 response operations.
Gamboa issued the statement on the heels of the combined operations of the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Bohol on Monday wherein at least P27.2 million worth of shabu was seized.
The suspect, Jaime Dajao, 44, resident of Purok 2, Barangay Tanghaligi, Talibon, Bohol, was arrested by the operating team.
Gamboa said the campaign against illegal drugs will go hand in hand with police operations against crime.
“Even with the ongoing health crisis, police anti-illegal drugs operations will continue without let-up and will be unrelenting as ever,” Gamboa said.
The PNP chief admitted the “new normal” poses some challenges to law-enforcement operations, but the PNP’s ongoing capacity-building initiatives provides the means to adapt and cope with the situation.
Meanwhile, number three man of the military hierarchy relinquished his post on Tuesday to assume his new position as the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Command (Westcom) based in Palawan.
Lt. Gen. Erickson Gloria left his post as the deputy chief of staff in order to take the helm of the Westcom, the military’s command in charge of defending the West Philippine Sea.
Lt. Gen. Antonio Ramon Lim, the inspector general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, replaced Gloria in an acting and concurrent capacity.
Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Felimon Santos Jr. presided over the change of office held at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday.
“As the chief executor and adviser on matters pertaining to policy formulation and implementation, and command decision-making process through completed staff actions, the OTDCSAFP [Office of The Deputy Chief of Staff, AFP] plays a very important role in overseeing and ensuring that the different staff and services are working harmoniously towards the direction set by the AFP leadership,” Santos said.
A statement released by the military through Capt. Jonathan Zata, public affairs office chief, said Gloria had previously served as the deputy chief of staff for personnel, J1; wing commander, 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing; deputy commander, Air Mobility Command and deputy commander, Air Logistics Command.
He had also served as squadron commander of the 5051st Search and Rescue Squadron based in Palawan; 5053rd Search and Rescue Squadron in General Santos City; and the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing.
“Gloria is a tactical and rescue pilot and holds a command pilot rating in the Philippine Air Force,” Zata said.
“Early in his military career, he was awarded with different aircrew qualifications that range from pilot, element lead, flight commander, test pilot, and instructor pilot for the UH-1H and Bell 205.”
Gloria also qualified as a pilot of the Sikorsky S-76A. He logged more than 2,500 accident-free flight hours and was likewise awarded the Command Pilot Badge for his feat.
“Congratulations Erick on your new assignment as the new commander of Western Command! Palawan will be your new responsibility but GHQ [general headquarters] will always be your home and OTDCSAFP will always be your family,” Santos said.
Gloria will assume his new position on Thursday, succeeding Vice Admiral Rene Medina, who will retire after more than 38 years in service.
Before heading the Western Command, Medina had commanded the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, the largest naval operating force of the Philippine Navy.
Image credits: Philippine National Police via AP