PNP, LEAs’ support needed in anti-drug drive–PDEA chief
NEW Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Director General Isagani Nerez said crucial in their ‘war on drugs’ is the support of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) as they are fighting a common enemy: shabu smugglers and manufacturers and their ilk.
Nerez said he wants to hold a constant dialog with PNP chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil and other LEA officials to discuss matters crucial in fighting illegal drug trafficking and abuse in the country.
A bemedalled police official, Nerez was the erstwhile Undersecretary for Police Affairs at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs before he was appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to the PDEA.
He is bringing a fresh approach to the government’s revitalized war on drugs with high expectations that he can succeed given his track record and service reputation.
The official told the Journal Group that there is a need to re-study their current reward system.
Under the Operation: Private Eye, which is a citizen-based information collection program of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), corresponding rewards are given to private citizens who will provide the PDEA with solid information that would lead in the seizure of drugs and dismantling of clandestine shabu laboratories.
However, members of the DDB, PDEA, PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Customs or any government agency exercising enforcement functions, are not qualified to participate in the program.
Oplan: Private Eye provides corresponding monetary reward to informants behind the seizure of shabu and other prohibited substances depending on their actual volume.
Reward money of as much as P1.5 million is also given to tipsters behind the dismantling of large-scale clandestine drug laboratories or those which have the capacity to produce 50 kilos of shabu or more.
Director General Nerez took over the PDEA last February 4 with the agency riding high on the crest of its successful anti-drug operations under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The Numbers of the National Anti-Drug Campaign from July 1, 2022 to January 31, 2024 showed that during the period, a total of P56.36 billion worth of drugs, chemical precursors and essential chemicals and laboratory equipment were seized.
They include nearly 7.393 tons of shabu, 89.19 kilograms of cocaine, 121,022 pieces of the designer drug called Ecstasy, and 5.248 tons of marijuana.
The period also saw the PDEA, the PNP and other LEAs conducting a total of 97,406 operations which led in the arrest of 131,578 target drug personalities, including 8,404 ‘high-value targets’ and the dismantling of 1,301 secret drug dens and three clandestine shabu laboratories.
All arrested suspects are now facing criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The Marcos government also declared 29,390 ‘drug-affected barangays’ during the period and is still in the process of clearing 6,113 others.
The agency explained there are no changes on figures concerning the declaration of drug-cleared and drug-affected barangays because of the imposed moratorium on the activity as a result of the National and Local Election period.
Under DG Lazo, the agency pushed for the establishment of more drug treatment and rehabilitation facilities amid the Marcos administration’s recalibrated strategy to combat illegal drug trafficking and abuse fully anchored on the protection of human rights.
The PNP, headed by Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, last year unveiled their 4-year anti-drug campaign roadmap as they continued a nationwide all-out campaign against illegal drugs.
Gen. Marbil emphasized the Marcos Jr. ‘s administration’s commitment to a bloodless and human rights-based campaign in approving the strategy.
Director General Nerez and Gen. Marbil agree that ‘targeting the entire supply chain and the sources driving the drug trade’ instead of concentrating too much on cutting off the heads of the syndicate is their main objective.
The recalibrated strategy of the government involves intensified intelligence operations and stronger community engagement to identify and dismantle drug trafficking networks, the PNP chief said.
