Sultanate, PDEA join hands vs illegal drugs

KORONADAL CITY — The royal guards of the century-old Sultanate of Talik have joined hands with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Central Mindanao to minimize the proliferation of illegal drugs in the South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City (Socsksargen) area.

The Sultanate of Talik, led by Paramount Sultan Datu Nasser Sambuto Pendatun, covers the towns and cities within the Socsksargen area.

In a two-page memorandum of agreement, Sultan Pendatun and Chief Inspector Jessie Estrada, PDEA-Central Mindanao director, expressed their determination to jointly wage the fight against drug pushers.

The MOA was signed after Sultan Pendatun enthroned Estrada as "Datu Mohammad" in this city.

Muslim leaders in the Socsksargen area and followers of the Sultanate of Talik witnessed the ceremony.

Estrada told The STAR that the PDEA needs the support of Muslim groups, saying that the agency lacks manpower and resources to wage an effective campaign against drug lords and pushers.

He said forging an alliance with the Sultanate of Talik is in line with President Arroyo’s "interfaith program."