By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Newly appointed Police Regional Office-18 (PRO-18) Director Police Chief Supt. Edmund Gonzales vowed he would continue the aggressive campaign against illegal drugs and illegal gambling in the Negros Island Region (NIR).
In a media interview following the turnover ceremony yesterday afternoon, Gonzales issued a marching order to all the police in the region to eliminate drugs and criminality. He also warned errant and corrupt cops, saying he will focus on cleansing internal ranks.
“Priority is given against drugs, because it is also interconnected with other types of criminality,” said Gonzales.
He gave an emphasis on eliminating illegal gambling activities and echoed statements from outgoing PRO-18 Director Police Chief Supt. Renato Gumban, that they are examining the performance of all police chiefs in the NIR.
For his part, Gonzales promised fairness in the investigations of cops allegedly linked to illegal activities. As a confidence-building measure, he added he will not reassign them to other regions unless strong evidence is presented against them.
He also stated he will review the cases of police officers transferred out of the region after being named as alleged drug protectors, adding he would lobby for the speedy re-investigation of their cases by the national headquarters.
“It is also unfair for them to be transferred out, even though they are not involved in drug activities,” he added.
Gonzales formally took over Gumban’s post, yesterday, as the latter celebrates his 56th birthday and retirement on May 21.
The turnover ceremony was presided by Philippine National Police (PNP) Deputy Director General Ramon Apolinario./WDJ