PDEA boss quits; retired cop takes over

MANILA, Philippines – Retired police general Arturo Cacdac Jr is the new chief of the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) replacing Jose Gutierrez Jr..

Malacañang confirmed it has accepted Gutierrez’s resignation, but the circumstances surrounding his resignation were not clear as of posting.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Cacdac took his oath before Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. at 3:30 p.m. in Malacañang.

In a phone interview with reporters, Cacdac said he was provided a copy of his appointment dated Oct. 11.

The President earlier sacked Gutierrez’s deputy, PDEA deputy director general Carlos Gadapan, due to “loss of confidence.”
 
But Gadapan hit back and said Gutierrez had been ineffective and that his wife had been involved in gambling activities.
 
Gutierrez recently said that he would step down quietly if Aquino was dissatisfied with his work. He made the statement following Aquino’s order to investigate the entire agency in the aftermath of charges and counter-charges involving Gutierrez and Gadapan.
 
Prior to his retirement last September 5, Cacdac was the second highest official of the Philippine National Police.
 
A member of Philippine Military Academy Class 1978, the class that “adopted” former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Cacdac also served as PNP deputy chief for operations.
 
Cacdac served as the executive officer of the PNP-Program Management Office, police provincial officer director of Tarlac and chief of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management. – Rappler.com