PDEA regional chief relieved
A WHITEWASH IN THE OFFING?
The key person leading the investigation of the operation of the shabu laboratory in sitio Upper Binmotobot, Naguilian, La Union, recently raided by combined elements of the law enforcement agencies, has been relieved even before a major breakthrough in the investigation could be achieved.
The unexpected relief of P/Sr. Supt. Jane Andres Aunzo, regional director of the Presidential Drug Enforcement Agency in Ilocos, fueled doubts and speculations about motives of ranking PNP and PDEA officials since she heads Task Force Binmotobot, the group assigned to investigate the possible involvement of ranking police officers in the protection and operation of the shabu laboratory, considered the biggest in the country so far discovered.
While Aunzo herself never gave any earlier indication about her impending transfer, PDEA Director General Dionisio Santiago, who signed Aunzo’s relief order, said the latter was relieved because she already completed the standard two-year tour of duty in Region 1.
She has been reassigned to the PDEA central office in Manila.
Santiago assigned retired Army Col. Roberto Opina to replace Aunzo and the formal turn-over of command is set tomorrow, Monday.
Speculations are rife that Aunzo’s sudden relief from Region I may have something to do with the progress and direction of the investigation of the busted shabu laboratory that pointed to the alleged involvement of P/Supt. Dionicio Borromeo, erstwhile chief of police of Dagupan City.
Borromeo was relieved by PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon and was placed at the PNP Holding Officer to ensure his presence during the investigation being conducted on him by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Aunzo earlier manifested her suspicion to the local media that the alleged involvement of Borromeo on account of a statement of the caretaker arrested inside the raided laboratory may just be the tip of the iceberg and that more police officers may be involved in protecting the shabu laboratory operating in La Union, the seat of PNP regional command.
P/Director-General Avelino Razon, PNP chief, was in the province last week and gave assurance that there would be no whitewash in the investigation especially now that a senior police officer in the region was tagged as a suspect.
It is still not known whether Opina will take over the task force. -LM
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