What was the use of RSOG?

By Jeehan V. Fernandez

Was the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) really effective in running after the drug pushers and users?

This would be the question after a black propaganda blamed Aksyon Radyo Iloilo for allegedly causing the abolishment of the RSOG, citing that suspected drug lords are behind the alleged demolition job.

Camp Delgado 's Deputy Regional Director for Administration Edwin A. Pfleider noted the RSOG was created to address high-profile crimes and one of those is the illegal drug activities.

Pfleider said that RSOG had been tasked in monitoring the supply and demand of illegal drugs even at the lowest level. Likewise, he added that as operating unit of the regional headquarters, it had to be vigilant against kidnapping syndicate and robbery group.

To note, Police Regional Office (PRO-6) director Chief Supt. Gerge L. Aliño declared the abolition of the RSOG recently. He however, stressed that the move had no relation to the controversies involving the RSOG.

Aliño cited that RSOG functions anyway, overlapped that of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (RAIDTAF), the local counterpart of the national government's Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF).

The RSOG was dragged into “anomalies” after they freed a drug suspect caught during a buy-bust operation, with the basis that the recovered drug was only in small amount. Even worse, there were also allegations that some RSOG men received bribe money.

These issues have gained “hot” commentaries both on radio and newspaper after RSOG former chief Insp. Serafin Monteclaro bared that a media outlet receives P15 ,000 to P20,000 monthly from a drug group in a bid to demolish the RSOG.

In reaction to the sweeping statement, the Iloilo Police and Defense Press Corps issued a resolution urging Aliño to direct Monteclaro in naming the said media outlet. Aliño said that he already told Monteclaro to ask for an apology to the members of the press.

“ Monteclaro had no basis for his ‘unfounded' statement,” said Aliño. Monteclaro is now assigned at the National Capital Region while RSOG chief Clarence Dongail is at the Regional Operation and Plans Division here.

Meanwhile, Pfleider said that PRO-6 wanted to maximize the potential of ex-RSOG personnel the reason why they are “back to their units that they might be useful there”. He added that S/ Insp . Salvador Dagoon is still under investigation.

“We will wait for the recommendation of the investigating officer,” Pfleider said, adding that the issues should be resolved. “Whatever the result is, we will have to take action,” he added.