TACLOBAN CITY – A former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-National Capital Region director tagged by President Duterte six years ago for his alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade surrendered to Police Regional Office 8 director Brig. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Wednesday, Jan. 25.
Erwin Ogario and other PDEA-NCR officials allegedly facilitated the release of a drug suspect and misdeclared evidence inventory, including 500 Ecstasy tablets seized during an operation.
They were dismissed from the service in 2017 for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Marbil disclosed that Ogario has a pending warrant of arrest for violation of Section 4 (importation) of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs of 2002 issued on Jan. 3, 2019.
He added that Ogario, considered as a high-value individual and "one of the biggest drug protectors in the country," preferred to surrender to PRO 8 because he believes in the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "He voluntarily presented himself because here in region, the police are trustworthy," he said.
He added that Ogario, who hails from Eastern Samar, believes that he will be treated fairly in the country's justice system.
Ogario will undergo medical examination after his arrest before he will be escorted by Marbil to Quezon City for proper disposition.
Marbil and Ogario worked in Region 13 when Marbil was the provincial director of Agusan del Norte from 2013 to 2014 and Ogario was the regional director of PDEA 13.