PRESIDENT Marcos named retired Maj. Gen. Isagani Nerez as the new Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief, Malacañang announced on Tuesday.
In short message, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed Nerez’s appointment to the PDEA post, replacing former Special Action Force chief Moro Virgilio Lazo who held the post since 2022.
The President previously named Nerez as Undersecretary for Police Affairs of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs in 2022.
Nerez is a lawyer and a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Maharlika” Class of 1984.
He also served in key positions across various Philippine National Police (PNP) units.
His work experience included stints with the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response and the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Eastern Mindanao.
He was part of the PNP Special Action Force, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, and the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Marcos names Isagani Nerez as PDEA chief.”