PNP chief studies fate of special units vs. illegal drugs

DRASTIC changes loom over the Philippine National Police (PNP) as its chief, Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., said he was weighing options on the fate of the special operations units (SOUs) involved in the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

Meanwhile, the PNP hierarchy has ordered an intensified intelligence monitoring on some 3,000 “erring” police officers to clear the force’s name amid the issue of the so-called “ninja cops” within its ranks.

Ninja cops are those suspected of involvement in returning to the black market their confiscated illegal drugs.

Acorda said he was carefully studying the reforms amid controversies that hounded the SOUs specifically in the conduct of buy-bust operations on the basis of information supplied by confidential informants or sources in the underground.

The PNP chief said he essentially wanted an intelligence-driven anti-drug campaigns, hinting that the question was whether to retain the SOUs or not.

The credibility and integrity of the entire PNP has been placed in serious jeopardy in light of questionable buybust operations and alleged involvement of high-ranking police officials including certain generals allegedly linked to the illegal drugs trade.

The House of Representatives has launched a thorough inquiry on the reported confiscation of nearly one ton of shabu or metamphetamine hydrochloride with an estimated value of P6.7 million from a lending company based right inside the Manila Police District in Ermita, Manila.

“It’s on my table and we need to really study it, but the direction is if we will be agreeable with the other minds na makokonsulta natin,’’ Acorda said.

He also said the PNP also vetting drug enforcement units nationwide.

Meanwhile, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) said it was waiting for instructions from higher ups even as it continued normal operations.

“We are preparing in case the orders are to dissolve the SOUs,” PDEG deputy director for administration Col. Marlou Martinez said.

Martinez said the possible abolition of some SOUs would have an impact, mostly on the movement of personnel, evidence, and jurisdiction.

But at the same time, the move could also improve monitoring and control of operating units, he said.

“If we dissolve SOUs, we will return to the barracks. And from here, we will go to far-flung areas if we have operations,” Martinez said.