Ruiz welcomes new PDEA chief

CEBU, Philippines - With the news of incumbent Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Isidro S. Lapeña being appointed as the new Bureau of Customs Commissioner, PDEA-7 welcomes Police Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino as the agency’s new chief.

“New commander, new order, so bag-o nasad nga strategy to be implemented. But at the end of the day, kahibalo mi nga bisa’g kinsa ang among mahimo nga Director General usa lang ang tumong, and that is the accomplishment nato in the drug war,” said PDEA-7 Director Yogi Felimon Ruiz.

Aquino, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1995, is the incumbent director of Police Regional Office 3 (Pampanga), and is scheduled to resign from his post on September 6 this year.

Ruiz said that they have not received the confirmation yet for the official start date of Aquino as the director general of PDEA, though he reiterated that the agency will just continue doing its job and focus on going after drug personalities.

“I know General Aquino can continue sa mga programs ni General Lapeña,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz has nothing but praises for Lapeña. He said that in the span of one year under Lapeña’s administration, the agency has achieved so much, specifically in running after high-value targets and drugs lords in Central Visayas.

He also commended the support given by the director general in the development of PDEA-7 operations.

“We have been very productive, and PDEA has been very successful. Sa among mga accomplishment namo sa among mission which is going with high value targets and in terms of support nga gihatag sa PDEA, makita man ninyo physically nga unsa’y kalambuan nga atong nahimo diri sa opisina and that is by gihatag nga support ni  Lapeña to PDEA-7,” said Ruiz.

He added that the move will not hamper the agency’s momentum on the war against drugs.

Ruiz also said that the appointment of Lapeña to the Bureau of Customs can be beneficial for both government agencies.

“Kaning pagkatudlo ni  Lapeña as Commissioner of Bureau of Customs, beneficial kaayo considering he already has background in anti-illegal drug operations and kaning sa atong PDEA is combating drugs in all fronts, so nindot ni. So I can say nga mas nindot ang collaboration between PDEA and Bureau of Customs,” Ruiz said. (FREEMAN)