THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Region has declared 26 of the 34 barangays in Urdaneta, cleared of illegal drugs, while the remaining 8 barangays are already undergoing validation based on recommendation of the city police.

The declaration was made by PDEA Region 1 Director Jeoffrey Tacio during the visit of PDEA’s outgoing Director-General Isidro Lapeña last week to Urdaneta City when he signed a support agreement with the city government led by Mayor Amadeo Bobom Perez over the donation of the city government of a 400 square meter lot for the PDEA Provincial Office.

Tacio also said the municipalities of San Nicolas and Mapandan are expected to be cleared of drugs in the next few weeks.

He said, 507 barangays are already validated to be drug-cleared from the more than 2,000 drug affected barangays in the entire region.

Tacio also assured that every drug operation of the PNP is well coordinated with PDEA.

Prior to every police operation, coordination is established so that even without the physical presence of PDEA during the operations, these are considered legitimate.

Tacio said, the presence of PDEA in every police operation is not required due to being undermanned except in arresting a high value target that requires the presence of PDEA agents.

PDEA’s clearance is not required in cases considered as flagrante delicto or drug users caught in the act during pot sessions.

Meanwhile, Lapeña promised his townmates in Urdaneta City that he will continue his support on the war on drugs even as he assumes his new post as Commissioner at the Bureau of Customs. (Nora Dominguez)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments