Vice Mayor Marion Andres, action officer of the Marikina Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC), said the relief of Chief Inspector Ramchrissen Haveria, DEU chief, would greatly hamper the city’s anti-drug drive.
In an open letter to Interior Secretary Joey Lina and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Leandro Mendoza, Andres pointed out that the relief of Haveria and his men "is a big blow (to) the city’s fight against the menace of illegal drugs."
"Aside from this, MADAC is not expecting this kind of action, as the drug-busting unit that has been instrumental in pursuit of lawless elements," said Andres in his letter.
Haveria and his men were ordered relieved last Sept. 12 by Chief Superintendent Rowland Albano, deputy chief for administration of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) on the basis of a complaint filed by a certain Larry de la Cruz.
De la Cruz claimed the DEU operatives raided his house at No. 1 Helena St., Sta. Teresita Village, Barangay Lamuan without the benefit of a warrant.
The police filed drug pushing charges against De la Cruz in the City’s Prosecutor’s Office. The arraignment of the case was set on Oct. 23 in the sala of Judge Olga Palanca, of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 273. – Non Alquitran