Instead of waiting for the results of the investigation of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into the issues involving his agency, Rep. Ma. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay yesterday asked Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Jose Gutierrez Jr. to immediately tender his resignation, citing incompetence in curbing the country’s drug problem.
“His performance alone is enough reason why he should immediately resign,” Magsaysay said.
“The fact that he (Gutierrez) was not able to curb it (drug problem) is already an indication of his performance,” the woman solon stressed.
House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez readily agreed with Magsaysay’s position, saying the drug industry remains a $270- million enterprise in the country.
Gutierrez refused to comment on the accusations of sacked PDEA deputy director general for operations Carlos Gadapan who accused him of orchestrating his relief, claiming he got the ire of Gutierrez after he told him his wife had lost as much as P800,000 in PDEA funds to gambling.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., who signed the relief order for Gadapan last September 6 which was immediately effective, claimed Gadapan was sacked for “loss of confidence.”
Gadapan had been replaced in an acting capacity in the office of the director general for operations by Gutierrez’s former chief-of-staff Abe Lemos.
Gadapan said Gutierrez stripped him of the power to sign operations/raids since July 1 and on the following day submitted a report to President Aquino listing the irregularities he allegedly committed, including his alleged P8-million extortion on an arrested Chinese drug lord this year.
Gadapan further alleged it was Gutierrez’s group which extorted the money.
However, Gutierrez said he is willing to resign “without putting up a fight” if President Aquino decides that he no longer enjoys his trust and confidence.
Meanwhile, the PDEA would like to make it known that the relief order of Gadapan was not an internal decision but rather an order that emanated from Malacañang.
Moreover, PDEA welcomed the ongoing independent investigation by the NBI and shall refrain from issuing further statements until the probe has been concluded.
“The public can rest in confidence that we will continue to perform our sworn mandate with honor, commitment, respect for human dignity, excellence and competence, in the pursuit of the vision of a drug-free country,”  PDEA said.
Gutierrez maintained that he had nothing to do with Gadapan’s relief order. But Gadapan in a press interview insisted his removal from the agency as deputy director was with no justifiable reason.
“I wanted to clear my name and that of my family,” Gadapan, a retired police superintendent, added.
Gadapan further claimed  his ouster was triggered when he gave information to his superior Gutierrez that his wife was hook on gambling.
Gadapan recalled that he told Gutierrez his wife had been losing millions of pesos in a casino in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
On Sept. 14, Gadapan reportedly received a letter from Malacañang that he was ousted from his post because the President had lost confidence in him.
On the other hand, Gutierrez welcomed the NBI probe into the issue and that includes Gadapan’s allegations.
“If President Aquino found out that I have lapses on my duty then I will resign from my post,” Gutierrez said, adding his wife does not gamble and even know how to play mahjong or card games.     By Charlie V. Manalo and Gina P. Elorde