PDEA Appoints New Regional Director in Western Visayas

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A long-time Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operative has taken over the top post in PDEA-Western Visayas.

Ralph Rommel Torres was designated as acting regional director of PDEA-6, effective July 1, 2025.

Torres, the outgoing assistant regional director of PDEA-Region 9, succeeded Melvin Estoque, who served in the post for more than two years.

Estoque has been assigned as the regional director of PDEA-Negros Island Region.

In a statement, PDEA-6 said the leadership transition reflects its continued pursuit of excellence and commitment to anti-drug operations in Western Visayas.

Torres, a native of Dipolog City, is a graduate of Unang Sinag, the pioneer class of the PDEA Academy.

He began his career in the Zamboanga Peninsula, serving as provincial officer of Zamboanga del Sur from 2007 to 2012.

He later became chief of operations of PDEA-Region 9 from 2012 to 2014.

In 2014, he was reassigned as chief of operations of PDEA-7.

He returned to Region 9 in 2016 as acting assistant regional director and was officially appointed to the position in 2022.