President Bongbong Marcos named retired police general Moro Virgilio Lazo as chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Malacañang announced on 21 October.

Press Office OIC Cheloy Garafil confirmed Lazo's appointment in a message to reporters.

Lazo takes over Wilkins Villanueva as director-general of the government's leading agency against illegal drugs.

Lazo, a native of Laoag City, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1984.

In 2015, he was appointed director of the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police following the controversial "Oplan Exodus."

His appointment papers have yet to be published by the Press Secretary's Office.