Twenty four policemen assigned at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Western Visayas will be recalled to the Philippine National Police, starting next week. The tour of duty of 500 policemen assigned to the PDEA lapsed on July 4.

Supt. Rolen Balquin yesterday said they are now awaiting orders from Camp for their transfer from the PDEA regional office to the Philippine National Police.

The 500 policemen from the PDEA regional offices have been required to undergo a three-day re-orientation seminar next week at Camp Crame.

Of the 24 policemen assigned at the Region 6 PDEA office, seven have signified their intention to remain at anti-narcotics agency, Balquin said.

The PDEA is now recruiting civilians as anti-narcotic agents, graduates of medical-related courses and lawyers, to address its manpower needs in all of its regional and provincial offices nationwide.

Balquin said his successor as PDEA regional director for Western Visayas has not been determined yet.

In anticipation of their recall to PNP, Balquin said the anti-drug campaign and prosecution of drug cases may be affected, because almost all of them are witnesses to the complaints they had filed. PDEA is the implementing arm of the Dangerous Drug Board in the anti-drug campaign being waged all over the country, which includes drug law enforcement, control and prevention, with assistance from various government agencies.*GPB

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