UNDER PDU30 NEW ORDER

LINGAYEN—The provincial director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) remains optimistic the target to make Pangasinan as drug-cleared before the end of 2017 is still possible despite the order of President Duterte that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will now have the sole authority to conduct the anti-drug operations of the government.

P/Sr. Superintendent Ronald Lee said their “work is lighter because they will no longer operate, only (do) information gathering” and will no longer initiate drug operations.

He explained that from hereon it will be PDEA, no longer PNP, that will conduct buy-bust operations or serve search and arrest warrants on drug suspects. “PDEA will conduct raid or if they coordinate with us, ask our help because they lack personnel, we will support them.” Lee added

“PNP will always support PDEA, and will provide support when it is needed, particularly in securing an area in implementing a search warrant to a subject who is armed and dangerous.” the provincial director said.

Lee said PNP’s task today is to relay any information about activities in illegal drug trading to PDEA and the latter will do the rest including applying for search warrant.

Meanwhile, Lee said the target to have Pangasinan declared as drug-cleared before the end of 2017 still stands since PDEA is on top of the regional oversight committee that validates and certifies the declaration of drug-clearance of a certain place.

He pointed out that the police have done their work in the processing surrender of drug personalities, their rehabilitation, graduation from programs prepared for them, including the documentation being done by the local government.

He cited the efforts of multi-sector using the whole government approach which he said will go to naught if PNP will be totally out of the illegal drugs campaign.

He added that the police director is the vice chairman of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Coordinating Council, so it cannot be said that the police are entirely out of the picture.

He said there are still barangays that remain to be cleared but many have already been cleared and submitted for PDEA’s validation and certification as drug-cleared.

He admitted he is not privy to the reason behind the President’s order giving PDEA the sole authority to do anti-illegal drugs operation. “We were surprised, but we are good soldiers and we follow what our boss says,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lee said they are unrelenting in their campaign on criminality, focused on murder, homicide, theft, physical injuries, loose firearms and motor theft.

Lee said checkpoints are established across the province and motorcycle riders are flagged down.

In case a motorcycle rider is caught in possession of illegal drugs, the suspect will be arrested and will be turned over to PDEA, Lee added. (Eva Visperas)

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