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. — Non Alquitran