New Talisay cop chief to intensify campaign vs drugs

CEBU, Philippines – The newly installed Talisay City police chief yesterday made no assurance as to stopping the proliferation of illegal drugs but vowed to conduct more operations against the social menace.

Police Chief Superintendent Germano Mallari, who was presented yesterday to the media and department heads by Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, said he will do his best to combat the problem of illegal drugs in Talisay City.

Fresh from serving as chief of Bogo City police, Mallari has replaced Superintendent Reycel Carmelo Dayon as head of Talisay City police starting March 19.

Mallari was formerly assigned at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 before his stint in Bogo.

Prior to Mallari's installation, Cebu Provincial Police Director Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac instructed him to conduct an "honest-to-goodness operations against illegal drugs" and to "neutralize all drug pushers" in Talisay City.

Mallari said he will heed Gillamac's order but has likewise appealed for the public's cooperation in the fight against criminality.

"Dili ko makapasalig nga diha-diha dayon kay i-familiarize pa nako ang Talisay pero among himuon ang tanan," Mallari told reporters yesterday.

Mallari said he will be coordinating with the 22 barangays to cooperate in maintaining peace and order in the city, just like what he did when he was assigned as police chief in Bogo City where he organized the Barangay Police Assistance Team.

Separately, De los Reyes assured that his administration will provide logistical and equipment support to the police to fight against criminals.

De los Reyes had earlier sought Dayon's relief after the police official, banking on testimonies, accused the mayor of allegedly torching up a dump truck impounded within the city police station's premises.