Policemen to be deployed as "anti-drug agents"

CEBU, Philippines - About 5,000 policemen of “untarnished record” will compose the first batch that would undergo a special training by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Administration to become the province’s anti-drug agents.

“It’s one thing to declare an all out war, but it’s another to wage a war and I really mean it so let us pull all our resources together in the fight against illegal drugs,” said Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in a special meeting with heads of law enforcement agencies in Cebu.

The meeting, participated in by Police Regional Director Lani-o Nerez and PDEA Regional Director Randy Pedroso, was called to lay down plans to combat illegal drugs in the province.

Both Nerez and Pedroso acknowledged the need to deputize police officers as anti-drug agents.

The first 250 policemen will undergo training with PDEA at the capitol social hall on June 18.

Apart from the policemen, Garcia said the anti-drug abuse councils in the barangays and barangay tanods will also be made to undergo training as a multiplier effect. Garcia said the matter will be a priority item during the province-wide barangay assembly, which will be participated in by mayors and officials of 1,000 barangays.

Garcia said she is looking into making active participation in the anti-drug campaign as basis for the release of the financial assistance Capitol gives to barangays.

“We wanted to see full cooperation from the barangays. Unless they are issued with a certification for their participation, all further financial assistance will be withheld,” Garcia said.

Republic Act 9165 or the anti-drugs law mandates PDEA to act as the lead agency in the campaign against illegal drugs, in coordination with the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation.

Pedroso admitted that the campaign against illegal drugs is a steep climb especially that PDEA only has around 30 agents. — Garry B. Lao/JMO (THE FREEMAN)