CEBU CITY – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas (PDEA-7) has a new director.
Alex Tablate formally assumed the position on Monday, Nov. 4.
He replaced Emerson Margate, who was named the new director of the intelligence service of the PDEA national headquarters in Quezon City.
Tablate is the former director of PDEA-Western Visayas and former assistant director of PDEA-Eastern Visayas.
Margate was named as PDEA-7 chief on Dec. 16, 2023.
Under Margate, 235 barangays and one municipality in Central Visayas were declared as drug-cleared.
During Margate’s stint, 160 anti-illegal drug operations were conducted and 52 were described as high-impact operations as it involved dismantling of drug dens.
The dismantling of 52 drug dens led to the arrest of 334 personalities and confiscation of 74 kilos of shabu with an estimated value of P411 million.
In addition, the PDEA-7 under Margate destroyed 54.85 kilos of shabu, 2.36 kilos of marijuana, and other illegal drugs totaling P374,629,250.99. The destruction of seized illegal drugs was approved by the court.
Margate thanked law enforcement units and local government units for extending necessary support during his stint.