Cop in bloody Bulacan drug war now CITF chief

MANILA, Philippines — The former head of the Bulacan police who led bloody operations that killed at least 20 drug suspects early this year is now the head of the Philippine National Police Counter-Intelligence Task Force (PNP-CITF).

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde yesterday announced the appointment of Superintendent Romeo Caramat Jr. as commander the CITF, the unit tasked to run after scalawags within the police organization.

He replaces Senior Superintendent Jose Chiquito Malayo, who is due for promotion.

“I think we have to strengthen our counter intelligence operations,” Albayalde told reporters in an ambush interview when asked for his marching orders to Caramat.

Caramat was the police director of Bulacan during anti-drug operations in February in March where at least 23 suspected drug pushers and users were killed in alleged gun battles with policemen.

Asked about Caramat’s reputation in Bulacan, where several drug suspects ended up dead in police operations, Albayalde said: “He will not be involved in any illegal drugs operation.”

Caramat declined to comment in a phone interview, saying he has yet to receive an official order for his transfer.

“I have yet to talk to the chief PNP,” he said.

Caramat is is the current chief of staff of the PNP Intelligence Group.