CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Jose “Sonny” Guttierez has formally designated Lyndon Aspacio as new regional director of the agency in Central Luzon.
Aspacio was introduced by Gutierrez to Governor Lilia “Nanay” G. Pineda and officials of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office (PPO) led by Police Senior Superintendent Edgardo Tinio during a peace and order meeting at the Executive House, Capitol Grounds Thursday.
Pineda said the courtesy call of the new PDEA chief in Region III is timely as it coincided with the scheduled conference of the police chiefs from the 19 towns and 2 cities of the province.
Aspacio said, PDEA is asking for the continuous cooperation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the province to strengthen their fight against the proliferation of illegal drugs.
The new PDEA head even thanked the governor for giving him the chance to meet the local chiefs of police.
According to Aspacio, the PDEA together with the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should display a united front to lessen, if not totally eradicate, the existing drug problems in the province.
“Let us help each other and collaborate to maintain the quality of life the Capampangans and to ensure the security of their families and homes,” Aspacio appealed.
The new director also urged officers of the PNP to complement and combine their resources with the agency to fortify their capabilities during operations.
“We should be firm. We must show the citizens the certainty of arrest and punishment for perpetrators,” the director said.
The PDEA officials also disclosed the plans of keeping a close monitoring of Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) for its potential as an entry point for illegal drugs.
For her part, Gov. Pineda said, drug use is usually the cause of heinous crimes committed in the province.
“We should always be vigilant and keep a watchful eye to ensure the safety of Capampangans,” she said.
The governor added, coordination between the law enforcers and local government units is also crucial in the fight against illegal drugs.
By Angelique Tuazon
