will continue without Espenido
Provincial councils set aside P87M

for anti-drug, peace initiatives

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) vowed to continue the aggressive campaign against illegal drugs in the province despite the recent departure of Police Lt. Colonel Jovie Espenido from the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO). NOPPO deputy administration director, Police Lt. Colonel Adrian Acollador, insisted, even before Espenido was assigned to BCPO, they were continuously going after illegal drug suspects.
The NOPPO official said the public can trust provincial police will not stop until the problem of illegal drugs in Negros Occidental is wiped out.
He also denied rumors claiming Espenido’s removal stemmed from “ninja cops” within the BCPO, or police officers that allegedly take seized drugs and resell them, pointing out, Espenido was reassigned directly to the Office of Philippine National Police (PNP) director, Police General Archie Gamboa.
Acollador also challenged recently-arrested drug suspects in the province claiming evidence was “planted” against them to file a case to prove their allegations.
Last week, Espenido was relieved from both his BCPO post and as City Drug Enforcement Unit chief and was reassigned to PNP headquarters in Camp Crame.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered Espenido’s assignment to Bacolod City claiming the locality has been “badly hit” by illegal drugs.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Anti Drug Council, together with the Provincial Peace and Order Council, approved an P87 million budget for various programs.
According to a presentation by Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, P2 million is set to fund the Negros Occidental Drug Rehabilitation Foundation, P800,000 for National Police Commission, among other allocations./DGB, WDJ