‘OPS TO INTEL’: Competition Among Police Units Spurs Strategy Shift

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 anti-drug unit has shifted its focus from leading operations to intelligence gathering and build-up in support of city and provincial drug enforcement units (DEUs).

Brigadier General Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, said the decision to adjust the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU)-6’s strategy stemmed from reports of competition between RPDEU-6 and local DEUs.

“We noted that they were competing with each other, and in our assessment, it wasn’t ideal. These DEUs should complement each other,” Wanky said.

He added that lower DEUs had reported instances where RPDEU-6 preempted their long-term targets, causing friction.

“My instruction is for RPDEU-6 to focus on intelligence gathering and coordinate with the concerned DEUs for operations,” Wanky said.

For several months, PRO-6 records have shown zero RPDEU-6-led operations. However, Wanky clarified that the unit has consistently supported operations, even if not as the lead.

Wanky dismissed claims that RPDEU-6’s limited role in anti-illegal drug operations was due to the absence of a team leader. The team’s leader, Captain Glenn Soliman, is currently undergoing mandatory schooling.

“The shift in strategy was planned and coincided with Soliman’s schooling,” Wanky said.

The move aims to enhance coordination and efficiency in the anti-drug campaign, ensuring all DEUs work cohesively.