Ebdane vows new image for PAOCTF, recruits new personnel

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force has started recruiting new personnel to replace about one-half of its 800 members who were relieved by new PAOCTF chief Deputy Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.

Ebdane said he wants to give the task force a new image. "We shall continue to enforce law and pursue criminal groups without fear or favor, even as we redefine our mission and functions based on President Arroyo’s directive," he said.

He said the PAOCTF may be renamed to disabuse public misimpression that it was still being used by its former officials for purposes other than law enforcement.

Ebdane sacked about 50 percent of PAOCTF’s members to pave the way for its major restructuring and improve its effectiveness in combating organized crime.

Most of those affected by the revamp were perceived to be loyal to the Estrada administration and former Philippine National Police chief Director General Panfilo Lacson, who used to head the elite task force.

"The PAOCTF manpower has been cut substantially with the reassignment of all original personnel to their mother units as part of the redefinition and streamlining of the task force," he said.

Ebdane said the move would "once and for all remove the unnecessary pressure" on the task force personnel exerted by some groups within the PNP which stemmed from controversies surrounding the leadership of Lacson.

"I hope the controversies will stop," Ebdane stressed. – Christina Mendez