PDEA boosts coordination of anti-drug ops in DavNor

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, June 22 – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the province strengthened its coordination with the Police Provincial Office by deputizing about a hundred anti-narcotics police officers in the province.

PDEA Provincial Officer IO3 Clodito Canada said the drug buster cops are tasked to conduct in-depth investigations and subsequent raids of supposed drug lairs in the barangays, in coordination with the PDEA.

Atty. Bhen Joseph Tesiorna, Legal Retainer of PDEA-XI revealed the deputation is in line with the PNP’s strict standard operating procedures, which bar police personnel who are not members of any anti-narcotics unit from conducting planned anti-illegal drug operation.

He explained the planned anti-illegal drugs operations include buy-busts, search warrants and clandestine laboratory operations, maritime and airport interdictions, marijuana eradiation operations and other similar police operations.

Tesiorna emphasized the need for greater synergy between PDEA and the PNP, among other law enforcement agencies, in carrying out anti-drug operations, pursuant to Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Under the law, he said PDEA remains the lead agency in the government’s campaign against illegal the proliferation of prohibited drugs.

Yet, while the PNP, NBI and other law enforcement agencies continue to conduct anti-drug operations in support of the PDEA, the said agencies shall coordinate with the PDEA before conducting all anti-drug operations.

Otherwise, such agencies should inform the PDEA of their anti-drug operations within 24 hours.

Canada bared 43 barangays of the province are presently affected by the drug menace, with the narcotics making their entry in the barangays of Madaum in Tagum City, Cabaywa in Asuncion town and Tibal-og in the municipality of Sto. Tomas.

He said his office, together with the PNP has already successfully conducted a total of 35 anti-drug operations from January to May this year, resulting to the filing of cases in court and confiscation of 30 grams of shabu and 3,592.3 grams of marijuana.

He also urged the reactivitation of the anti-drug abuse councils from the city, municipal down to the barangay level “since the communities are our first defense against prohibited drugs.” (PIO-DavNor/Noel Baguio)