Officer at Police Regional Office in Central Luzon tagged for drugs

MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday ordered Police Regional Office in Central Luzon (PRO-3) to conduct a thorough investigation following the arrest of a police officer in Gerona, Tarlac who was tagged as both user and protector of illegal drug operations.

Police Regional Office in Central Luzon (PRO-3)

Eleazar directed PRO-3 chief Brig. Gen. Val de Leon, to know if Cpl. Geymar Orquero has other cohorts in the local police force in the protection and financing of illegal drug operations in Gerona and nearby areas.

“I directed the regional director, PRO3 Brig. Gen. Val de Leon, to expedite the investigation so that Corporal Geymar Orquero, who was caught in an anti-illegal drug operations in Gerona, Tarlca, can be dismissed immediately in the service,” Eleazar said in a statement.

He said de Leon assured him that the scalawag policeman was already disarmed and is currently detained while under investigation.

“Aside from administrative charges which will lead to his dismissal from the service, separate criminal cases will also be filed against Police Corporal Orquero,” he added.

Orquero and his supposed civilian cohorts Marvin Gadia and Joel Umagat, were arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Calayaan on Sept. 10 and seized from them were some suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, and a Glock 17 with magazine and ammunition.

Orquero, assigned at the Tarlac City Police Station, is said to be a drug user and protector and financier of one alias “July” and Melvin Gadia, who were tagged as drug pushers operating in Gerona and Tarlac City.

Eleazar lauded the Central Luzon police for its swift action that led to the arrest of Orquero.

“As I promised to our people, your PNP will act swiftly against the corrupt in our ranks because they are the ones destroying our organization,” Eleazar said.

He said he will not hesitate to remove all scalawag police officers “no matter many there are”.

“Anyway, I am sure that with the high salaries of the policemen and the aggressive reforms we have implemented in the recruitment system, there will be more good policemen who will replace them,” Eleazar said.

He urged the public to report any PNP personnel involved in any irregularities through its official SMS hotline -- 0919-160-1752 (Smart); 0917-847-5757 (Globe) or via email: [email protected] or through social media -- facebook.com/OfficialPNPhotline and web portal (https://e-sumbong.pnp.gov.ph)

Over 5,000 Dismissed

Eleazar said a total of 5,151 police officers have been dismissed from the service due to various offenses since 2016 due to the intensified internal cleansing program of the PNP.

Citing the latest data, Eleazar said a total of 18,664 police personnel were also penalized for various offenses.

The dismissed personnel were involved in cases ranging from grave misconduct, serious irregularities, and other criminal activities while some members of the police force were meted disciplinary sanctions for administrative offenses and involvement in irregularities.

These penalties include demotion in rank, suspension, forfeiture of salary, reprimand, restriction to quarters and withholding of privileges. (PNA)