By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has showed no signs of slowing down in its anti-drug operations nationwide as it seized PHP176.4 million worth of illegal drugs from April 25 to May 2.
In a statement on Monday, the PDEA said 62 operations resulted in the arrest of 101 high-level syndicated pushers and traffickers in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to pursue a relentless campaign against the major players in the drug trade.
The operatives confiscated 12,381.51 grams of shabu; 260 pieces of ecstasy tablets; 72,178 grams of marijuana kush; 14,007.94 grams of dried marijuana leaves; 17,950 grams of dried marijuana stalks; and 6,575 pieces of marijuana plants during the period.
Among the regions where anti-drug operatives struck most were the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Visayas, Caraga Region, Soccsksargen, and Cordillera Administrative Region.
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez commended the efforts of drug law enforcers for nailing notorious drug personalities, thus making significant dents against the country’s illegal drug trade.
“Week after week, notable accomplishments are being recorded because of the strengthened partnership and collaboration among the country’s drug law enforcement agencies,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PDEA said 16 informants received cash rewards amounting to more than PHP7 million through its Operation: Private Eye (OPE).
The informants, identified only through their codenames, provided information that resulted in successful anti-drug operations, confiscation of illegal drugs, and arrest of drug personalities.
“PDEA OPE is a reward and incentive program designed to fully engage the participation of the citizenry in the national anti-drug campaign by reporting illegal drug activities taking place in the communities,” Nerez said.
To report illegal drug activities, the public is advised to forward the information through the OPE Hotline number 09178677332.
“Paying no heed to their own safety, private citizens go out of their way to report illegal drug activities indicating that there is public trust and confidence in PDEA,” Nerez said.
The “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign, the flagship program of the Marcos administration, promotes participatory governance by enlisting the active engagement of the public to foster a genuine sense of ownership in the nation’s fight against the drug menace.
“There is always strength in numbers. The more people engaged in the fight, the more potential for greater success,” Nerez said. (PNA)
