TACLOBAN CITY – The Police Regional Office-8 (Eastern Visayas) on Monday, April 1, hailed new Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.
Marbil, a former PRO-8 director, was appointed as the 30th chief PNP, replacing Police Gen. Benjamin Acorda who retired on Monday.
"With his exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to duty, we have full confidence that Gen. Marbil will continue to advance and uphold the noble ideals of the organization," PRO-8 Director Police Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Pawid said.
Pawid assured Marbil assured that they will remain committed to upholding and supporting the plans and programs of the PNP to ensure efficient police service to the community.
Marbil served PRO-8 from August 15, 2022 to May 2, 2023.
He was cited by Azurin for intercepting a stolen vehicle and suspected shabu worth P7 million in Allen, Northern Samar on March 28, 2023 through Task Force Maharlika.
The task force was a brainchild of Marbil tasked to secure the long stretch of highway serving as the main road from Allen, Northern Samar to San Ricardo, Southern Leyte.
Former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-National Capital Region Regional Director Erwin Ogario, who had been tagged by former President Rodrigo Duterte as one of the officials involved in irregularities such as illegal drugs, surrendered to him in January 2023.
Ogario, together with other PDEA officials, were dismissed from the service for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
They allegedly facilitated the release of a drug suspect and misdeclared evidence inventory, including 500 Ecstasy tablets that were seized during an operation.
Ogario had a pending warrant for violation of Section 4 (importation) of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs of 2002 issued on January 3, 2019.
He was considered as a high-value individual and "one of the biggest drug protector in the country."