Cops train to go after street-level drug pushers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is retraining police officers to go after drug pushers on the street.

The PNP’s Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) has started retraining police officers in Metro Manila for localized anti-drug operations.

Under the law, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is the lead agency to go after illegal drug operations. But due to lack of manpower, the PDEA is tapping the PNP in their anti-drug operations.

Chief Inspector Roque Merdegia, PNP-AIDSOTF spokesperson, said the training would guide police officers in investigating, intelligence gathering and operating against illegal drugs.

“We are focusing on the drug situation in Quezon City. Manila, Southern, Northern and the Eastern Police Districts will undergo similar training in the coming weeks,” said Merdegia.

He said police stations must identify drug pushers and conduct operations against them in coordination with the PDEA.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas earlier ordered the PNP to stop street-level drug activities, particularly shabu dens and “tiangges (flea markets)” in Metro Manila.

Some police station chiefs in Quezon City who attended yesterday’s seminar welcomed the retraining on anti-illegal drug operations.

Superintendent Eleazar Matta, Novaliches police station commander, admitted that street-level drug pushing exists after the local police anti-illegal drugs unit was deactivated.

Merdegia said other police districts in Metro Manila would join the five-day workshop.