PDEA Chief Arturo Cacdac talks to reporters.
(UNTV NEWS)
QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) laid out its achievements at the celebration of its 14th anniversary today.
In collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Customs and other law enforcement agencies, PDEA has executed a total of 24,462 anti-drug operations.
19,406 drug personalities have been arrested including those considered to be high-value targets.
However, come next administration, PDEA wants to surpass these numbers.
PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac is calling on Congress to pass the amendments on the Anti-wiretapping Law exempting their agency from criminal liability.
Now, only few cases are exempted from the law including cases of terrorism.
If wiretapping will be permitted, PDEA can use audio recordings as evidence against drug syndicates.
“I hope it covers in the exemption of anti-drug cases because we cannot conduct the wiretapping and therefore, we cannot reach them while in our counterparts in other countries, those are permitted,” Cacdac explained.
Cacdac mentioned that it will also help if barangay drug-clearing operations will be strengthened.
The agency has already proposed augmenting the funds of the Anti-drug Abuse Council to PDEA Director General Isidro Dela Peña.
“Let’s eliminate the reason that they don’t have funds. We should give them 100 thousand per drug-affected barangay that is recovered,” said Cacdac
PDEA admits that they have a big role to play in President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to eradicate illegal drugs in the country in three to six months. That’s why the agency is hoping for a big support from Congress and other government agencies in order help them in executing their mandate.
(JOYCE BALANCIO/UNTV NEWS)
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