Aquino orders personnel swap in PDEA regional offices

“We need to transfer people to avoid familiarity and affinity in their areas of responsibility so as not to compromise credibility and integrity,” PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said. (File photo: PNA)

MANILA — Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino ordered the swapping of personnel at the regional offices in Western Visayas and Central Visayas.

Aquino said the lateral movement of personnel, a regular practice in drug law enforcement to increase flexibility and adaptability within the organization, is also part of the agency’s continuing internal cleansing program.

“We need to transfer people to avoid familiarity and affinity in their areas of responsibility so as not to compromise credibility and integrity,” he said in a statement.

“It is a straight swap between the entire workforce of PDEA Regional Offices in Western Visayas and Central Visayas Offices, including its Regional Directors, with the exception of technical personnel such as chemists and drug regulatory officers,” the PDEA chief said in a statement.

Some 89 personnel of PDEA VI (PDEA RO-VI) and 91 of PDEA VII (PDEA RO-VII) exchanged places.

Aquino said the reassignment “bodes well for the safety” of operatives in Central Visayas because they are now at greater risk following the death of Investigation Agent III Earl “Baby” Rallos, who was shot by unidentified gunmen on his way home driving his vehicle.

Aquino said the PDEA never stays stagnant and is constantly on the move, to remain focused on the fight against the drug menace.