TACLOBAN CITY – Former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Director Erwin Ogario surrendered to Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) Director, Brig. General Rommel Francisco Marbil on Wednesday, January 25.
Ogario has been tagged by Former President Rodrigo Duterte as one of the officers involved in irregularities such as illegal drugs.
Ogario, together with other PDEA officers, was 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 pieces of ecstasy that were seized during an operation.
Marbil disclosed that Ogario has 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 added that Ogario, who is considered as a high-value individual and “one of the biggest drug protector 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 the Region, the police are trustworthy,” he said.
He added that Ogario, whose roots are 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 RD Marbil to Quezon City for proper disposition. Marbil and Ogario worked in Region 13 while Marbil was the provincial director of Agusan del Norte in 2013 to 2014, while Ogario was the regional director of PDEA 13. By Marie Tonette Marticio (EV Mail January 23-29, 2023 issue)
