Eleazar orders cops: Follow guidelines in drug ops

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar yesterday ordered police officers to strictly adhere to the unified guidelines of the PNP and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in anti-narcotics operations.

“I am directing police commanders to make sure that their personnel are well-briefed on these guidelines, once issued,” Eleazar said in a statement.

PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva on Sunday said the operational guidelines, which he and Eleazar will sign, would be finished before the end of the month.

The two officials agreed to craft guidelines after PDEA and PNP officers figured in a standoff in Quezon City last May that almost led to a shootout.

Last February, operatives from both sides had an armed encounter along Commonwealth Avenue that killed three law enforcers and a PDEA informant.

“Once these unified operational guidelines are finalized and released to our men on the ground, I need the efficient supervision by police commanders to ensure that the rules are strictly followed,” Eleazar said.

Once the guidelines are out, Eleazar expects misencounters between PNP and PDEA agents to be avoided.

“This way, our law enforcement agencies would be more effective in carrying out operations against illegal drugs,” Eleazar said.