PDEA checks reports on bogus agents

CEBU, Philippines - While it aims to further strengthen its force by training policemen and soldiers to help in the campaign against illegal drugs, officials of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency are also now checking reports on individuals who are using the name of the agency for their personal profit.

PDEA-7 director Randy Pedroso is asking the public to immediately report sightings of a group that is allegedly operating in northern Cebu.

He issued the statement after a local official from the northern town visited his office to verify if indeed the group is from PDEA.

According to the informant, the group conducted buy-bust operations in their town without coordinating with them and the local police. She lamented they only learned about the operation the next day after the arrested drug peddler was released for monetary considerations.

The incident, according to the official, did not only happen once but twice prompting her to visit PDEA, but records of the office show that there was no operation conducted in the area.

Last week, PDEA-7 also received reports about the buy-bust operations conducted by these spurious individuals in the town of Consolacion. The group was seen onboard a van with PDEA sticker on the right portion of the vehicle’s body.

Pedroso said he also received reports that these people ask for protection money from unknown drug personalities and even shows PDEA identification cards, which according to the PDEA official, were fake as the agency does not issue IDs except to its organic personnel.

Pedroso believes that the suspects want to put the agency’s name in the bad light since it is the lead agency in the campaigns against illegal drugs. He said PDEA personnel never ask for protection money from drug peddlers nor release their captives in exchange of cash.

He also clarified that PDEA vehicles bore no stickers of the agency which is part of its standard policy. This matter is already under investigation and proper charges will be filed in court once the suspects are identified and apprehended.

Meanwhile, in line with the campaign against illegal drugs, the Dangerous Drugs Board will be conducting training in cooperation with the PDEA-7.

DDB Undersecretary Clarence Paul V. Oaminal said that PDEA will train and deputize almost 5,000 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and members of AFP who will compose an army against drugs.

The training will be held at the Social Hall of Cebu Provincial Capitol building starting June 18, 2009 where first the 20 series of seminars will be conducted.

Aside from the speakers coming from the office of PDEA, there are also prosecutors and judges who are invited to conduct a lecture.

After the seminar PDEA will then give orders to the members of AFP and PNP who participated in the training as deputized agents.   

Oaminal also expressed his gratitude to Governor Gwen Garcia’s dedication and effort to eradicate the illegal use of dangerous drugs in the province of Cebu. — Niña G. Sumacot and Johanna T. Natavio/WAB (THE FREEMAN)