PDEA admits weakness vs illegal drugs

CEBU, Philippines - Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 7 Acting Regional Director Adrian Alvariño admitted that the security in the region is lax when it comes to the shipment of illegal drugs.

Since the agency only has two K-9 dogs capable of sniffing drugs, Alvariño said that it is difficult for them to arrest drug personalities who are members of organized crime groups which innovate ways on how to counteract enforcement agency’s strategies.

 “It’s not very easy to monitor or locate them. Ang labanan sa trabaho namin ay information, technology and mobility. Isa pa, may pamamaraan na ang mga drug personalities, may business ethics,” Alvariño said.

Among seven million Filipinos involved in illegal drug activities in the Philippines, more than 3,000 are said to be from Central Visayas. Of the 3,000, more than 1,000 drug personalities come from Cebu, the center of economic activities and tourism.

Drug personalities include the drug pushers, financers, protectors and users.

Alvariño added that the country is now in grave condition since all sectors of the society, including the youth and the poor, are affected with the illegal drug problem.

 He also enumerated the most common drugs in the region in which shabu ranks first even if it’s more expensive than other drugs. Marijuana is second since it is cheaper.

Alvariño also mentioned that their primary concern is to capture big-time drug personalities who make deals from sources outside the country and who supply the small-time pushers.

He admitted that there are also politicians who are also involved in such illegal act. “Pera na kasi ito eh. Ang pera na ang lumalakad,” he said.

 Regional Internal Affairs legal officer, Atty. Arnold Valle, acknowledged the intensified campaign of local enforcement agencies led by PDEA along with the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police and Bureau of Customs in the fight against illegal drugs.

“Records showed that we have arrested more drug personalities compared to last year. This was because of the trainings and seminars conducted for PNP and barangay tanods. All of them were very supportive,” Valle said.

He also encouraged the public to report to their agency or to the nearest police station if they have information that could lead to the arrest of drug personalities and result in case build-up.

Alvariño added that the agency needs the support of their partners as well as the community since it has also its limitations.

“This is a social problem. Lahat tayo ay may responsibilidad sa pagsugpo nito,” he said.

In celebration of Drug Prevention Week in its theme “Think Health, Not Drugs”, PDEA 7 has involved educational institutions in preventing drug abuse aside from regular information dissemination.

As PDEA’s pilot project in partnership with Young Lawyers’ Association, “Campus Drug Watch” which is initially participated by five schools in Cebu shall form a student anti-drug council.

These schools include Abellana National High School, Cebu City National Science High School. University of San Carlos – North Campus, Sacred Heart School and University of the Philippines – High School Cebu.

The council will hold sports fest and other activities that that will help students who are possible targets of drug abuse. — THE FREEMAN