Pubdate: Sat, 25 Feb 2006
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2006
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Non Alquitran
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

NEW EPD CHIEF TO GO AFTER SHABU 'MARKETS'

The first marching orders of Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol
to the new director of the Eastern Police District (EPD) was to rid
his area of drug dens.

Querol said newly installed EPD director Chief Superintendent
Charlemagne Alejandrino "should visit every nook and cranny of his
area of responsibility and see to it that they are rid of illegal drugs."

"He should hit the ground running and prioritize the campaign against
illegal drugs, especially the drug dens," Querol said.

Alejandrino, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class '75,
took over command of the EPD during simple rites presided over by
Querol last Wednesday.

He replaced Chief Superintendent Oscar Valenzuela, who was relieved by
his superiors due to the Mapayapa drug den debacle.

Querol said Alejandrino should not allow the existence of another
shabu market in his jurisdiction, similar to the raided drug den at
the Mapayapa compound in Barangay Sto. Tomas.

"He should direct his chiefs of police to identify possible drug dens
in his jurisdiction and hit them hard no matter who gets hurt," the
Metro police chief said.

However, Querol stressed that the new EPD chief should coordinate with
the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the lead agency in the
war against illegal drugs.

"Basta lumaban siya sa droga, wala na kaming problema," Querol said of
the new EPD director.

The Metro police chief said Alejandrino should continue what
Valenzuela had started in the campaign against criminality and
terrorism, especially project "Night Watch."

In his acceptance speech, Alejandrino vowed to continue implementing
all the programs and projects of Valenzuela in the war against
criminality and terrorism.

He vowed to strengthen the four police stations of the EPD and their
precincts, being the first line of defense against all threat groups.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Tom