MANILA, July 14 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday directed the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to conduct an intensified and more focused campaign against drug trafficking in the country.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the President’s order is anchored on the Five Pillars of Action under the National Drug Program of Action 2015 to 2020 — Drug Supply Reduction; Drug Demand Reduction; Alternative Development; Civic Awareness and Response; and Regional/International Cooperation.
“The President said all concerned government agencies should concentrate on preventing the spread of illegal drugs at its source, while stopping smuggling and manufacturing activities,” Coloma said in a statement, following the President’s meeting with members of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) in Malacañang.
“President Aquino said law enforcement agencies should prioritize their actions based on the level of threat to the community in order to protect the welfare of the country, especially our youth,” he added.
Coloma further said that PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac reported that 13,792 individuals had been arrested from 2010 to 2014.
“Last year, the PDEA apprehended over 1,000 high-value targets and charged more than 2,000 drug personalities in various areas in the country. The PDEA would also double its clearing operations at the barangay level and would push for the hiring of more agents to strengthen its law enforcement operations,” he said.
Coloma noted that in accordance with the President’s directive, Health Secretary Janette Garin said the Department of Health is carrying out the repair, facilities improvement and expansion of drug treatment and rehabilitation centers in the country, for which P393 million is being spent this year, while another P400 million will be disbursed in 2016.
The meeting was attended by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa as well as DDB members, including Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Health Secretary Garin, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman, Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Patricia Licuanan, DDB Permanent Member Edgar Galvante, National Bureau of Investigation Director Virgilio Mendez, Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina, National Youth Commission Chairman Gregorio Tingzon, and representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Department of Labor and Employment. (PNA)